Awesome.
Scott Pilgrim 5 was awesome, by the way!!
Friday, February 06, 2009
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
2009 book 29
Barbara Trapido's The Travelling Horn Player
This sort-of-sequel to the other Trapido novel I read recently picks up 17 years where the first one leaves off, introducing some new characters into the mix. Unfortunately I didn't like it quite as much, though it was still fairly enjoyable and I love Trapido's narrative tone. B/B+.
This sort-of-sequel to the other Trapido novel I read recently picks up 17 years where the first one leaves off, introducing some new characters into the mix. Unfortunately I didn't like it quite as much, though it was still fairly enjoyable and I love Trapido's narrative tone. B/B+.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
2009 book 28
Nancy Werlin's Impossible
I wasn't really expecting to like this much after reading it was inspired by Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair" (not that it's not an awesome song, just, it sounds like a lame writing exercise or something). But really it's inspired by the ancient ballad, and the story is a modern fairy tale, as a teenaged girl discovers she's trapped in a family curse. I realize none of this sounds like a good read, but it was one. A/A-.
I wasn't really expecting to like this much after reading it was inspired by Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair" (not that it's not an awesome song, just, it sounds like a lame writing exercise or something). But really it's inspired by the ancient ballad, and the story is a modern fairy tale, as a teenaged girl discovers she's trapped in a family curse. I realize none of this sounds like a good read, but it was one. A/A-.
2009 book 27
Hallie Ephron's Never Tell a Lie
This was maybe the worst and most predictable mystery I've ever read. F.
This was maybe the worst and most predictable mystery I've ever read. F.
Monday, February 02, 2009
2009 book 26
Lauren Groff's Delicate Edible Birds and Other Stories
Groff publicist or publisher or someone sent me this since I loved her novel Monsters of Templeton--attention publishers, if you send me free books I will probably read them and blog about them! Anyway, I loved the first three stories a lot and found the others to be slightly meh. I guess that evens out to a B.
Groff publicist or publisher or someone sent me this since I loved her novel Monsters of Templeton--attention publishers, if you send me free books I will probably read them and blog about them! Anyway, I loved the first three stories a lot and found the others to be slightly meh. I guess that evens out to a B.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
2009 book 25
Charlie Huston's The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death
This book started off really promisingly--a young man takes a job cleaning up the scenes of violent deaths after a tragedy in his own life--but halfway through veers into the ridiculous as he gets caught up with a bunch of idiots doing illegal things. The kind of noir feel couldn't save it. B-/C+.
This book started off really promisingly--a young man takes a job cleaning up the scenes of violent deaths after a tragedy in his own life--but halfway through veers into the ridiculous as he gets caught up with a bunch of idiots doing illegal things. The kind of noir feel couldn't save it. B-/C+.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
more fun stuff i've shared
I really like this print--it is excellent advice!
Is there a new Kindle coming out? I'm still not sure whether or not I want one.
Here's a great analysis of Neil Gaiman's Newbery win.
Does high-fructose corn syrup contain mercury? Guess it's not as natural as sugar after all, despite what those goofy commercials say.
5 reasons to watch the Puppy Bowl instead of the Super Bowl. Sorry, fellow Pittsburghers, but I'm leaning toward the puppies.
Speaking of Pittsburgh--check out what got caught in Google street view. Haha. I really do get a lot of Pittsburgh-related content in Google Reader for someone who doesn't subscribe to any Pittsburgh-related blogs.
Is there a new Kindle coming out? I'm still not sure whether or not I want one.
Here's a great analysis of Neil Gaiman's Newbery win.
Does high-fructose corn syrup contain mercury? Guess it's not as natural as sugar after all, despite what those goofy commercials say.
5 reasons to watch the Puppy Bowl instead of the Super Bowl. Sorry, fellow Pittsburghers, but I'm leaning toward the puppies.
Speaking of Pittsburgh--check out what got caught in Google street view. Haha. I really do get a lot of Pittsburgh-related content in Google Reader for someone who doesn't subscribe to any Pittsburgh-related blogs.
2009 book 24
Jetta Carleton's The Moonflower Vine
If I hadn't known this was a reissued book that was first published in 1962, I'd never have guessed--it has a very funny, contemporary feel. It starts with three sisters visiting their aging parents on their small Missouri farm, and flashes back to tell the family's whole story. I totally loved it, though had mixed feelings about the end, which force me to give it an A-. Has anyone else read it? I'm dying to discuss it!
If I hadn't known this was a reissued book that was first published in 1962, I'd never have guessed--it has a very funny, contemporary feel. It starts with three sisters visiting their aging parents on their small Missouri farm, and flashes back to tell the family's whole story. I totally loved it, though had mixed feelings about the end, which force me to give it an A-. Has anyone else read it? I'm dying to discuss it!
Monday, January 26, 2009
2009 book 23
Zoe Heller's The Believers
Heller's followup to the bestselling Notes on a Scandal will probably do pretty well, sales-wise, though I didn't think it was that great of a book. It's about what happens to a politically active family after their patriarch, a well-known lawyer, suffers stroke, and secrets emerge, and whatnot. The problem is that most of the characters are kind of assholes (save for insecure, unhappily married daughter Karla) and the youngest daughter's exploration of Orthodox Judaism really annoyed me (maybe b/c I've read too many books on the topic, or maybe b/c it feels like a writer trying to figure out how someone exploring a religion might feel--it seems inauthentic to a large degree). Now that I think about it, I didn't really like her last book much either. B/B-.
Heller's followup to the bestselling Notes on a Scandal will probably do pretty well, sales-wise, though I didn't think it was that great of a book. It's about what happens to a politically active family after their patriarch, a well-known lawyer, suffers stroke, and secrets emerge, and whatnot. The problem is that most of the characters are kind of assholes (save for insecure, unhappily married daughter Karla) and the youngest daughter's exploration of Orthodox Judaism really annoyed me (maybe b/c I've read too many books on the topic, or maybe b/c it feels like a writer trying to figure out how someone exploring a religion might feel--it seems inauthentic to a large degree). Now that I think about it, I didn't really like her last book much either. B/B-.
2009 book 22
Marjorie Kernan's The Ballad of West Tenth Street
I'm going to say flat-out that this is a strong contender for my best of 2009 list (I stayed up super late to read it all in one sitting). It's about an eccentric family in Manhattan--the widow of a famous rock star and her two children (technically three, but one is institutionalized)--and what happens to them when a mysterious and kindly man moves in next door. The characters in this book are just amazing and the majority of it is totally heartwarming, but not in a cheesy or treacly way. I will say that something very sad happens toward the end--I cried and cried, and it's been a long time since a book made me sob like that--but somehow the ending is hopeful and happy. This book scores a nearly unprecedented A+.
I'm going to say flat-out that this is a strong contender for my best of 2009 list (I stayed up super late to read it all in one sitting). It's about an eccentric family in Manhattan--the widow of a famous rock star and her two children (technically three, but one is institutionalized)--and what happens to them when a mysterious and kindly man moves in next door. The characters in this book are just amazing and the majority of it is totally heartwarming, but not in a cheesy or treacly way. I will say that something very sad happens toward the end--I cried and cried, and it's been a long time since a book made me sob like that--but somehow the ending is hopeful and happy. This book scores a nearly unprecedented A+.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
2009 book 21
Ann Brashares' 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows
I actually enjoyed those books about the magic pants, so figured I'd give Brashares' newest series a try. It skews a little younger, though mentions the original girls more than a few times to pander to the fans. Anyway, there are three girls and it's summer, blah blah. One girl is basically exactly the same as the Blake Lively character, one is a very likable girl who gets stuck going on a summer hiking adventure camp trip when she wanted to go to an academic camp, and the third has the most pathetic (as in attempting to go for the pathos) storyline, with am eccentric, distant mother and a budding eating disorder. Things pretty much go as you might predict, which isn't a good thing in this case. I'd recommend going back and rereading the originals and skipping this one entirely. C.
I actually enjoyed those books about the magic pants, so figured I'd give Brashares' newest series a try. It skews a little younger, though mentions the original girls more than a few times to pander to the fans. Anyway, there are three girls and it's summer, blah blah. One girl is basically exactly the same as the Blake Lively character, one is a very likable girl who gets stuck going on a summer hiking adventure camp trip when she wanted to go to an academic camp, and the third has the most pathetic (as in attempting to go for the pathos) storyline, with am eccentric, distant mother and a budding eating disorder. Things pretty much go as you might predict, which isn't a good thing in this case. I'd recommend going back and rereading the originals and skipping this one entirely. C.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
2009 book 20
Dara Horn's All Other Nights
I loved Dara Horn's last novel, but I guess it was a little too esoteric to get a lot of widespread acclaim. I think this one might do a little better--it's kind of a Civil War epic, focusing on a young Jewish man who ends up becoming a spy for the Union. His first task is to thwart a Lincoln assassination plot--his second, to infiltrate a Confederate spy ring by marrying its ringleader. Totally awesome and exciting. Horn clearly did some research and even unearthed facts I've never heard before--like that Grant expelled Jews from the Tennessee Territories (Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi). What a jerkward! Anyway, this book was great. A.
I loved Dara Horn's last novel, but I guess it was a little too esoteric to get a lot of widespread acclaim. I think this one might do a little better--it's kind of a Civil War epic, focusing on a young Jewish man who ends up becoming a spy for the Union. His first task is to thwart a Lincoln assassination plot--his second, to infiltrate a Confederate spy ring by marrying its ringleader. Totally awesome and exciting. Horn clearly did some research and even unearthed facts I've never heard before--like that Grant expelled Jews from the Tennessee Territories (Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi). What a jerkward! Anyway, this book was great. A.
Friday, January 23, 2009
2009 book 19
Heather McElhatton's Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single
The description of this book--a body-conscious thirty-something becomes slightly obsessive about marriage after her younger sister gets engaged, etc etc--sounded a lot like most generic chick lit (and not my cup of tea), but McElhatton's Pretty Little Mistakes (a hilarious and excellent choose-your-own-adventure book) was one of my favorite books of 2007 and I thought maybe this book would turn out to be awesome. Well, parts of it were very funny, but I found a lot of it to be totally depressing. I think it could be considered a sort of satire of chick lit, maybe, or maybe not. I have some super mixed feelings about it, but I guess I'll give it a B/B-.
The description of this book--a body-conscious thirty-something becomes slightly obsessive about marriage after her younger sister gets engaged, etc etc--sounded a lot like most generic chick lit (and not my cup of tea), but McElhatton's Pretty Little Mistakes (a hilarious and excellent choose-your-own-adventure book) was one of my favorite books of 2007 and I thought maybe this book would turn out to be awesome. Well, parts of it were very funny, but I found a lot of it to be totally depressing. I think it could be considered a sort of satire of chick lit, maybe, or maybe not. I have some super mixed feelings about it, but I guess I'll give it a B/B-.
2009 book 18
Rachel Cusk's The Country Life
I remembered totally loving this book--about a woman who flees her life in London to care for a wheelchair-bound boy in the country and has to deal w/ his eccentric family, her own past, etc--and especially adoring the character of the boy. I didn't totally love it on this reread, but it was still a damn good book. Here is my original review (back in the day when I was too lazy to use the shift key, haha).
I remembered totally loving this book--about a woman who flees her life in London to care for a wheelchair-bound boy in the country and has to deal w/ his eccentric family, her own past, etc--and especially adoring the character of the boy. I didn't totally love it on this reread, but it was still a damn good book. Here is my original review (back in the day when I was too lazy to use the shift key, haha).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
2009 book 17
Irene Pepperberg's Alex & Me
Sigh. I wanted to love this book, all about the famously smart parrot, but it was hard. The problem is that Pepperberg is really annoying and self-involved. I didn't care about her lonely childhood and her troubles getting a job (understandable, considering her Ph.D. is in chemistry and she decided to study birds on a whim). This book felt on some level like an excuse to get back at the scientific establishment that took so long to accept her research, whereas I was hoping for more stories about the birds. This story would have been much better served had it been written by a journalist and not an embittered scientist. B-/C+.
Sigh. I wanted to love this book, all about the famously smart parrot, but it was hard. The problem is that Pepperberg is really annoying and self-involved. I didn't care about her lonely childhood and her troubles getting a job (understandable, considering her Ph.D. is in chemistry and she decided to study birds on a whim). This book felt on some level like an excuse to get back at the scientific establishment that took so long to accept her research, whereas I was hoping for more stories about the birds. This story would have been much better served had it been written by a journalist and not an embittered scientist. B-/C+.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
2009 book 16
Barbara Trapido's Brother of the More Famous Jack
Some book blog or another mentioned Trapido favorably recently, and since I'd never heard of her, I checked out one of her books. Anyway, it was a lovely novel, though very British and very 1982, but just great, funny stuff. Maybe a little too much of the ol' eccentric people harping at their relatives, but lovable anyway. Just what I needed right now. A.
Some book blog or another mentioned Trapido favorably recently, and since I'd never heard of her, I checked out one of her books. Anyway, it was a lovely novel, though very British and very 1982, but just great, funny stuff. Maybe a little too much of the ol' eccentric people harping at their relatives, but lovable anyway. Just what I needed right now. A.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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I keep starting books and then putting them down in disinterest, hence the lack of book blogging.
Here's a picture of Jimmy in his favorite spot to tide you over while I try to think of something interesting to post.
Here's a picture of Jimmy in his favorite spot to tide you over while I try to think of something interesting to post.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
i know what i'm doing on february 1st . . .
That's right, it's time for my favorite sporting event of the year . . . the Puppy Bowl!!!! It's Puppy Bowl V!!! (Here is a history of the Puppy Bowl for those of you who prefer football.) I've watched every year, and every year, I spend three straight hours cooing over puppies (and the kittens of the halftime show). New this year: a parrot singing the national anthem, and apparently it'll be twittered live, which is useless w/o pictures! Just a couple of weeks away--yay!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
2009 book 15
Tiffany Baker's The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
A generally moving novel about an abnormally large woman and her life in small town New York in the 50s-70s. B+.
A generally moving novel about an abnormally large woman and her life in small town New York in the 50s-70s. B+.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009 book 14
Carol O'Connell's Bone by Bone
Good lord, was this not a good book. A guy returns to his childhood home when his dead brother's bones start getting delivered to their father's house . . . the mystery itself isn't bad, but the writing was atrociously clumsy and hamhanded and the end was ridiculously melodramatic. C.
Good lord, was this not a good book. A guy returns to his childhood home when his dead brother's bones start getting delivered to their father's house . . . the mystery itself isn't bad, but the writing was atrociously clumsy and hamhanded and the end was ridiculously melodramatic. C.
2009 book 13
Julia Glass' Three Junes
I first read this so long ago that I didn't even have a book blog--can you imagine such a time ever existed?? Anyway, I didn't remember anything about it except "it's good" so it seemed overdue for a reread. Guess what, it's good. It's the story of a family told over three summers, and it's really a moving one. This was Glass' first novel and I enjoyed her next two just as much-she's really becoming a powerhouse of a novelist. A.
I first read this so long ago that I didn't even have a book blog--can you imagine such a time ever existed?? Anyway, I didn't remember anything about it except "it's good" so it seemed overdue for a reread. Guess what, it's good. It's the story of a family told over three summers, and it's really a moving one. This was Glass' first novel and I enjoyed her next two just as much-she's really becoming a powerhouse of a novelist. A.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2009 book 12
Diane Hammond's Hannah's Dream
I really like elephants, so was predisposed to like this novel about an elephant in a small-town zoo and her loyal keeper. Though some of the characters border on caricatures, I generally found this to be a moving story. B.
I really like elephants, so was predisposed to like this novel about an elephant in a small-town zoo and her loyal keeper. Though some of the characters border on caricatures, I generally found this to be a moving story. B.
doctor who
Sorry for the lack of book posts this weekend--I spent yesterday holed up on the couch under an afghan watching the last seven episodes of Doctor Who season 4--which I loved! It was definitely my favorite season (especially after so many one-off episodes of "oooh alien danger averted at the last minute" which it felt like happened every single time). I'm so bummed David Tennant is leaving the show--it did take me till like season 3 to fully accept him, but I was just so won over by the Doctor and Donna in season 4 that I'm almost considering buying it on DVD.
Really, the only false note for me was the episode The Doctor's Daughter, and that's just b/c the end was so predictable. I really wanted to see Jenny romping around space with the Doctor and Donna! Oh well. Still a great bunch of episodes and I'm officially totally into the show. (Just in time to have to wait for new ones, of course!)
Really, the only false note for me was the episode The Doctor's Daughter, and that's just b/c the end was so predictable. I really wanted to see Jenny romping around space with the Doctor and Donna! Oh well. Still a great bunch of episodes and I'm officially totally into the show. (Just in time to have to wait for new ones, of course!)
Friday, January 09, 2009
2009 book 11
Marilynne Robinson's Home
This was my third attempt at reading this book--not b/c it wasn't good, it's just that circumstances kept getting in my way. Anyway, it's a a sequel to Gilead, which I didn't bother rereading and maybe I will now, and it involved the youngest daughter of a family caring for her dying father when the black sheep of the family comes home. I think the ending was supposed to be a shocker but I figured most of it out early on. Still a good book. A-.
This was my third attempt at reading this book--not b/c it wasn't good, it's just that circumstances kept getting in my way. Anyway, it's a a sequel to Gilead, which I didn't bother rereading and maybe I will now, and it involved the youngest daughter of a family caring for her dying father when the black sheep of the family comes home. I think the ending was supposed to be a shocker but I figured most of it out early on. Still a good book. A-.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
2009 book 10
Diana Wynne Jones' House of Many Ways
This companion/sequel to Howl's Moving Castle isn't as good as the original, but is a fairly entertaining story centering on a sheltered, bookish young girl who goes to housesit for her great-uncle, a wizard. Adventures ensue, as they are wont to do. B+/B.
This companion/sequel to Howl's Moving Castle isn't as good as the original, but is a fairly entertaining story centering on a sheltered, bookish young girl who goes to housesit for her great-uncle, a wizard. Adventures ensue, as they are wont to do. B+/B.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
2009 book 9
Jane Austen's Persuasion
Man, it's weird to be back in single digits, book-number-wise. Anyway, this book was still good. I didn't like it quite as much this reread--I guess I'm kind of on Captain Wentworth's side--but maybe that's b/c I'm still sick and cranky.
Man, it's weird to be back in single digits, book-number-wise. Anyway, this book was still good. I didn't like it quite as much this reread--I guess I'm kind of on Captain Wentworth's side--but maybe that's b/c I'm still sick and cranky.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
2009 book 8
Jon MvGregor's If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things
I'm feeling too blah from a cold to write a real review. This book was still good.
I'm feeling too blah from a cold to write a real review. This book was still good.
Monday, January 05, 2009
2009 book 7
Diana Wynne Jones' Castle in the Air
I decided to reread this companion to Howl's Moving Castle b/c a third book in the series just came out (I'm hoping to get it from the library soon). I remembered not really liking it, but this time found it a very fun take on Arabian Nights-style stories. This author really does fairy-type tales well.
I decided to reread this companion to Howl's Moving Castle b/c a third book in the series just came out (I'm hoping to get it from the library soon). I remembered not really liking it, but this time found it a very fun take on Arabian Nights-style stories. This author really does fairy-type tales well.
2009 book 6
Jeremy Jackson's Life at these Speeds
I reread most of this while waiting at the DMV today--good times, good times. This is probably one of the most incredible novels I've ever read and I read it the first time solely by chance--I still have no idea why the publisher was giving away free copies at ALA a couple of years after it first came out, but I'm extremely grateful. For those who haven't read it, it's about a high school track star who's struggling to move on after his entire middle-school team (including his girlfriend) was killed in an accident. A+.
I reread most of this while waiting at the DMV today--good times, good times. This is probably one of the most incredible novels I've ever read and I read it the first time solely by chance--I still have no idea why the publisher was giving away free copies at ALA a couple of years after it first came out, but I'm extremely grateful. For those who haven't read it, it's about a high school track star who's struggling to move on after his entire middle-school team (including his girlfriend) was killed in an accident. A+.
2009 book 5
Kate Atkinson's Case Histories
The first Jackson Brodie book is still the best (though When Will There Be Good News? was also pretty great)--three interesting cold cases, storylines all enmeshed, great characters, etc. One thing I particularly noticed on this reread is the many ways parents are depicted--book groups could have a field day hashing all that out.
The first Jackson Brodie book is still the best (though When Will There Be Good News? was also pretty great)--three interesting cold cases, storylines all enmeshed, great characters, etc. One thing I particularly noticed on this reread is the many ways parents are depicted--book groups could have a field day hashing all that out.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
2009 book 4
Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife
It's 1907 and a rich guy in Wisconsin advertises for "a reliable wife", but what he gets is a woman planning to poison him and take all his money. Of course things don't go quite according to plan . . . this was another advance copy from Algonquin and I'm still trying to decide what I think about it. It should be a book group book since there's a lot of ways discussion could go . . . I dunno, B+? I certainly couldn't put it down, and was surprised at parts, but I'm still not sure if I liked it. I'd definitely recommend it, though, so you can decide for yourselves.
It's 1907 and a rich guy in Wisconsin advertises for "a reliable wife", but what he gets is a woman planning to poison him and take all his money. Of course things don't go quite according to plan . . . this was another advance copy from Algonquin and I'm still trying to decide what I think about it. It should be a book group book since there's a lot of ways discussion could go . . . I dunno, B+? I certainly couldn't put it down, and was surprised at parts, but I'm still not sure if I liked it. I'd definitely recommend it, though, so you can decide for yourselves.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
2009 books 1, 2, and 3
Since I don't have a local library card yet, I'm rereading various selections from my own bookshelves, starting with some classic literature:
Eleanor Porter's Pollyanna
It's been many years since I had read this, and I've seen the movie many times (I always spend the last ten minutes sobbing)--I was amazed to see how much Disney added to a story that was already pretty Disney-fied. The movie also adds more of the God stuff than is in the book (or at least makes those bits more dramatic). My edition, from 1987, has an afterword by Lois Lowry--which I imagine kids might not have found too appealing, but makes for a nice wrap-up when reading it as an adult.
Roald Dahl's Matilda
This is one of my favorite Dahl books--maybe b/c it came out when I was a kid, or is really the only one of his books about a girl. This is another one with weird changes to the movie version (though I've never seen that one the whole way through--it just doesn't come close to the book).
Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden
I think this is one of those books that's good no matter how many times you read it! I love the transformative power of nature and cute animals on the cranky little Mary, though on this reread I noticed that once Colin becomes prominent to the story, Mary totally disappears. The last few chapters aren't really her story at all, anymore. Though I guess she'd already had her catharsis and didn't need it at that point. Since I'm talking about movie versions, I guess I'll note here that we watched some movie version of this in elementary school after we read the book--it had some ridiculous tacked-on end where the three kids, all grown-up, come back to the garden. Mary had married one of the boys, but I forget which one (I'm hoping Dickon--Colin was her first cousin, after all).
Eleanor Porter's Pollyanna
It's been many years since I had read this, and I've seen the movie many times (I always spend the last ten minutes sobbing)--I was amazed to see how much Disney added to a story that was already pretty Disney-fied. The movie also adds more of the God stuff than is in the book (or at least makes those bits more dramatic). My edition, from 1987, has an afterword by Lois Lowry--which I imagine kids might not have found too appealing, but makes for a nice wrap-up when reading it as an adult.
Roald Dahl's Matilda
This is one of my favorite Dahl books--maybe b/c it came out when I was a kid, or is really the only one of his books about a girl. This is another one with weird changes to the movie version (though I've never seen that one the whole way through--it just doesn't come close to the book).
Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden
I think this is one of those books that's good no matter how many times you read it! I love the transformative power of nature and cute animals on the cranky little Mary, though on this reread I noticed that once Colin becomes prominent to the story, Mary totally disappears. The last few chapters aren't really her story at all, anymore. Though I guess she'd already had her catharsis and didn't need it at that point. Since I'm talking about movie versions, I guess I'll note here that we watched some movie version of this in elementary school after we read the book--it had some ridiculous tacked-on end where the three kids, all grown-up, come back to the garden. Mary had married one of the boys, but I forget which one (I'm hoping Dickon--Colin was her first cousin, after all).
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 book 205
Geraldine Brooks' People of the Book
I've been rereading this since the move, in spare resting moments b/w unpacking, and I'm glad I finished it today--not just b/c it's as good as I remembered (and worth a spot on the year-end list), but b/c it's nice to end the year on a big round number like 205.
I've been rereading this since the move, in spare resting moments b/w unpacking, and I'm glad I finished it today--not just b/c it's as good as I remembered (and worth a spot on the year-end list), but b/c it's nice to end the year on a big round number like 205.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
best books of 2008
I read a lot of really good books in 2008--according to Goodreads, I gave five stars to 26 of them--but somehow only a few seemed awesome enough to be BEST OF THE YEAR! So here are my nine favorites, in no particular order:
--Stephanie Kallos' Sing Them Home
--Selden Edwards' Little Book
--Kate Atkinson's When Will There Be Good News
--Hannah Tinti's Good Thief
--Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games
--Ron Rash's Serena
--David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
--Lauren Groff's Monsters of Templeton
--Geraldine Brooks' People of the Book (this may have technically come out in late December 2007)
Other titles I enjoyed: Telex from Cuba, I See you Everywhere, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Nation, A Map of Home, What was Lost, Thirteen Reasons Why, Obedience, House on Fortune Street, The Age of Dreaming, Three Girls and their Brother, The Curse of the Spellman, The Girl who Stopped Swimming, Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking co.
Happy new year! Here's to a whole new year of books (and me hoping to break my record again, though 204 will be a toughie).
--Stephanie Kallos' Sing Them Home
--Selden Edwards' Little Book
--Kate Atkinson's When Will There Be Good News
--Hannah Tinti's Good Thief
--Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games
--Ron Rash's Serena
--David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
--Lauren Groff's Monsters of Templeton
--Geraldine Brooks' People of the Book (this may have technically come out in late December 2007)
Other titles I enjoyed: Telex from Cuba, I See you Everywhere, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Nation, A Map of Home, What was Lost, Thirteen Reasons Why, Obedience, House on Fortune Street, The Age of Dreaming, Three Girls and their Brother, The Curse of the Spellman, The Girl who Stopped Swimming, Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking co.
Happy new year! Here's to a whole new year of books (and me hoping to break my record again, though 204 will be a toughie).
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JB is settling into the new place nicely and approves of Lizard Ridge.
Sorry for the lack of posts--like I said, I don't have internet yet, though have been enjoying free wifi at various local establishments.
Best books of 2008 coming shortly!
Sorry for the lack of posts--like I said, I don't have internet yet, though have been enjoying free wifi at various local establishments.
Best books of 2008 coming shortly!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
2008 book 204
Shulamit Lapid's Valley of Strength
I'm reviewing this translation of a classic 1982 Israeli novel for LJ. I think a lot of it was the translator's fault, but it wasn't a fun read at all. Parts of the story were really compelling, but I was kind of meh on most of it.
Anyway, I'm spending tomorrow driving up to NC--beats the usual bored Christmas! Internet use will be sporadic--so happy holidays, everyone!
I'm reviewing this translation of a classic 1982 Israeli novel for LJ. I think a lot of it was the translator's fault, but it wasn't a fun read at all. Parts of the story were really compelling, but I was kind of meh on most of it.
Anyway, I'm spending tomorrow driving up to NC--beats the usual bored Christmas! Internet use will be sporadic--so happy holidays, everyone!
stuff and stuff
I have a book review due soon and am not enjoying the book much, so don't expect book-related posts anytime soon. To keep you busy till then, here are some links!
Popwatch on the lame new American Girl doll. They replaced Samantha for this?? Lame!! (Back in the day when I was a kid, there were only three dolls--Molly, Samantha, and Kirsten. How can they do away with one of the originals?? She had cool clothes and stuff. [My sister had her--I had Molly, b/c she had glasses and a dog and a WWII-era story.])
Spoonfudge! This idea is GENIUS. Finally someone catches on to the fact that people like to eat frosting out of the jar. But with fudge!
And these cupcakes are amazing. That is some hardcore decorating.
Happy Hanukkah! Have a droidel.
Popwatch on the lame new American Girl doll. They replaced Samantha for this?? Lame!! (Back in the day when I was a kid, there were only three dolls--Molly, Samantha, and Kirsten. How can they do away with one of the originals?? She had cool clothes and stuff. [My sister had her--I had Molly, b/c she had glasses and a dog and a WWII-era story.])
Spoonfudge! This idea is GENIUS. Finally someone catches on to the fact that people like to eat frosting out of the jar. But with fudge!
And these cupcakes are amazing. That is some hardcore decorating.
Happy Hanukkah! Have a droidel.
Monday, December 22, 2008
best comics of 2008 as chosen by the artists
If you're wondering what comics you should be reading, this list is a great starting point. Clearly I need to pick up Jin and Jam.
2008 book 203
Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle
Now that the movers have taken all my stuff away, my book choices are limited to whatever was in odd nooks and crannies in my apartment. Luckily this book was one of those. I'm pretty sure I already reread it this year, but it's such a fun story that I was happy to read it again. I should really give the Miyazaki movie another chance, even with the weird war-related plot he shoehorned in.
Now that the movers have taken all my stuff away, my book choices are limited to whatever was in odd nooks and crannies in my apartment. Luckily this book was one of those. I'm pretty sure I already reread it this year, but it's such a fun story that I was happy to read it again. I should really give the Miyazaki movie another chance, even with the weird war-related plot he shoehorned in.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
2008 book 202
Emma Darwin's The Mathematics of Love
This has been in my to-read pile for over a year, and I've taken it on my last three trips, but somehow it never seemed appealing until today. And guess what, it's really good! It's two stories in one: half takes place in 1819, centering on a man who lost his leg in the Napoleonic wars, and his friendship with a woman, and the other half takes place in his estate in 1976, when a teenage girl is sent to live with her uncle. Both stories and both protagonists are compelling and likable. I did have one major beef, and this is not the author's fault (she's Darwin's great-granddaughter btw)--but the description on the back describes the teenager as "promiscuous" which is both sexist and wildly inaccurate. Screw you, Harper Perennial blurb-writer! A-.
This has been in my to-read pile for over a year, and I've taken it on my last three trips, but somehow it never seemed appealing until today. And guess what, it's really good! It's two stories in one: half takes place in 1819, centering on a man who lost his leg in the Napoleonic wars, and his friendship with a woman, and the other half takes place in his estate in 1976, when a teenage girl is sent to live with her uncle. Both stories and both protagonists are compelling and likable. I did have one major beef, and this is not the author's fault (she's Darwin's great-granddaughter btw)--but the description on the back describes the teenager as "promiscuous" which is both sexist and wildly inaccurate. Screw you, Harper Perennial blurb-writer! A-.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
2008 book 201
With the packing pretty much done, I actually had time to read a book!
Kirsten Mener-Anderson's Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain
I've been off of short stories for a few years now, but make an exception for ones that are related, whcih was the case here. It's a really interesting hsitory of New York/history of medicine, following the lives of a family of doctors through many generations. B+.
Kirsten Mener-Anderson's Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain
I've been off of short stories for a few years now, but make an exception for ones that are related, whcih was the case here. It's a really interesting hsitory of New York/history of medicine, following the lives of a family of doctors through many generations. B+.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Multimedia message
Sorry for the slow posting. I've been busy packing--Jimmy is helping empty drawers, as you can see. Things should pick back up early next week, when I'll be hanging out furniture-less and will be looking for internet-related distractions. :)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
top songs of 2008; cuteness
I didn't do a top albums list for 2007 (it would have just been like the Rosebuds, the Shout-out-Louds, and Rogue Wave) and I'm not doing one now; I've been a little disconnected from the music scene and have only bought a couple of albums this year.
That being the case--here are my favorite sing-along songs of 2008! (They're in no particular order.)
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks--Gardenia
The Broken West--Auctioneer
Hotel Lights--Amelia Bright
All Girl Summer Fun Band--Trajectory
She & Him--Black Hole
Los Campesinos!--Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks
TV on the Radio--Family Tree
Vivian Girls--Where do you run to?
Club 8--Leaving the North
The Rosebuds--Another Way In
Good times, eh?
Oh, and here's a site I love-- Cute Things Falling Asleep. Perfect.
More cute things: I just rediscovered the name of a favorite childhood toy--Sylvanian Familes. I liked them b/c they were sylvanians (like Pennsylvanians like me) and b/c they were supercute and slightly fuzzy animals. I imagine I still have a couple of these stashed in my childhood bedroom. Of course I liked the bunnies best (I collected the Wildwood and Babblebrook families) but I think I had a couple of bears, too.
That being the case--here are my favorite sing-along songs of 2008! (They're in no particular order.)
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks--Gardenia
The Broken West--Auctioneer
Hotel Lights--Amelia Bright
All Girl Summer Fun Band--Trajectory
She & Him--Black Hole
Los Campesinos!--Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks
TV on the Radio--Family Tree
Vivian Girls--Where do you run to?
Club 8--Leaving the North
The Rosebuds--Another Way In
Good times, eh?
Oh, and here's a site I love-- Cute Things Falling Asleep. Perfect.
More cute things: I just rediscovered the name of a favorite childhood toy--Sylvanian Familes. I liked them b/c they were sylvanians (like Pennsylvanians like me) and b/c they were supercute and slightly fuzzy animals. I imagine I still have a couple of these stashed in my childhood bedroom. Of course I liked the bunnies best (I collected the Wildwood and Babblebrook families) but I think I had a couple of bears, too.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
2008 book 200
Ignore my last post--it's not like I was really going to be packing at 10 pm!
Peter Manseau's Songs for the Butcher's Daughter
I'm really not sure what to think about this book. I loves some parts, hated others, found some to be heartbreaking . . . It starts off with a young man working for an organization that saves Yiddish books, translating the life story of an elderly man while narrating his own life story. Or whatever. The bulk of the novel is the elder's life story--born during a pogrom in Russia (which is brutal reading), he goes to cheder and works in a goose down factory (more brutal reading) and he's in love with a girl he's never met, and then various things happen. The problem is, he's kind of an asshole through the whole thing. I really need to discuss this with a book group to get my head straight--I mean, protagonists should have some flaws, but this guy is really a dipshit in many ways. I was really into the story, don't get me wrong, but didn't like the end much, and found the whole thing to be a little too in the vein of Nicole Krauss or someone like that (and I like her writing--but it all just seems derivative after a while).
Peter Manseau's Songs for the Butcher's Daughter
I'm really not sure what to think about this book. I loves some parts, hated others, found some to be heartbreaking . . . It starts off with a young man working for an organization that saves Yiddish books, translating the life story of an elderly man while narrating his own life story. Or whatever. The bulk of the novel is the elder's life story--born during a pogrom in Russia (which is brutal reading), he goes to cheder and works in a goose down factory (more brutal reading) and he's in love with a girl he's never met, and then various things happen. The problem is, he's kind of an asshole through the whole thing. I really need to discuss this with a book group to get my head straight--I mean, protagonists should have some flaws, but this guy is really a dipshit in many ways. I was really into the story, don't get me wrong, but didn't like the end much, and found the whole thing to be a little too in the vein of Nicole Krauss or someone like that (and I like her writing--but it all just seems derivative after a while).
blah blah
Who has time for reading (or blogging about reading) when movers are coming in less than a week???
Here's a few things to whet your appetites.
Ron Rash's Serena, which I loved, is getting good press and was one of Janet Maslin's top ten books of 2008 (I like all of her fiction picks, actually). No idea if it'll make my top whatever--but it for sure is a strong contender.
Pitt brought dogs to campus to help ease the tension of finals week. Puppies make everything better. Speaking of animals, JB is biting my feet--HARD--in an effort to get my attention, so I gotta run. OW.
Here's a few things to whet your appetites.
Ron Rash's Serena, which I loved, is getting good press and was one of Janet Maslin's top ten books of 2008 (I like all of her fiction picks, actually). No idea if it'll make my top whatever--but it for sure is a strong contender.
Pitt brought dogs to campus to help ease the tension of finals week. Puppies make everything better. Speaking of animals, JB is biting my feet--HARD--in an effort to get my attention, so I gotta run. OW.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
2008 book 199
Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking
Christina's been reading autobiographies of classy Hollywood ladies like Katherine Hepburn, but Carrie Fisher's book version of her one-woman show--touching on her mental illness, celebrity parents, failed romances, and Star Wars--was way more my speed. It's a quick read (perfect for a break from boxing up books), frank and funny.
Christina's been reading autobiographies of classy Hollywood ladies like Katherine Hepburn, but Carrie Fisher's book version of her one-woman show--touching on her mental illness, celebrity parents, failed romances, and Star Wars--was way more my speed. It's a quick read (perfect for a break from boxing up books), frank and funny.
Friday, December 12, 2008
2008 book 198
Stephanie Kallos' Sing Them Home
I loved Kallos' first novel, so was really excited when her new one came into the library--and it didn't disappoint (clearly I stayed up past my bedtime to read it). It's the story of a family in a small town in Nebraska, and what happens to them after their mother disappears during a tornado. Really excellent--believably flawed characters that you hope will get happy endings. My only beef was that it really needed another round of proofreading. I found tons of typos, and one character's name kept changing from Chris to Kris. That's just sloppy. It's a mark of how good a story this is that I'm giving it an A anyway.
Ooh, and the Venture Bros is on!
Oh, and just saw via a friend on Twitter--Pitchfork is covering Cytunes! That makes me a little teary. Wish I could be there for the launch party, but instead I'll go download some tunes (the store officially opened at midnight--so get to it!). Mad props to Rossi et al for getting this together.
I loved Kallos' first novel, so was really excited when her new one came into the library--and it didn't disappoint (clearly I stayed up past my bedtime to read it). It's the story of a family in a small town in Nebraska, and what happens to them after their mother disappears during a tornado. Really excellent--believably flawed characters that you hope will get happy endings. My only beef was that it really needed another round of proofreading. I found tons of typos, and one character's name kept changing from Chris to Kris. That's just sloppy. It's a mark of how good a story this is that I'm giving it an A anyway.
Ooh, and the Venture Bros is on!
Oh, and just saw via a friend on Twitter--Pitchfork is covering Cytunes! That makes me a little teary. Wish I could be there for the launch party, but instead I'll go download some tunes (the store officially opened at midnight--so get to it!). Mad props to Rossi et al for getting this together.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
another hanukkah commercial
Best Week Ever points out another Hanukkah commercial, but I'm not sorry to have missed this one. I definitely would rather have an ipod than a prostate exam. (I mean, hypothetically. My vague memories of high school bio assure me that I don't have a prostate gland.)
In other holiday news, here's a recipe to make melted snowman cupcakes. So cute! Feel free to make these for kids, but don't try selling any other handmade products to those under 12, b/c apparently it's illegal now.
In other holiday news, here's a recipe to make melted snowman cupcakes. So cute! Feel free to make these for kids, but don't try selling any other handmade products to those under 12, b/c apparently it's illegal now.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
more best books of '08
Salon asked a bunch of authors what their favorite books of 2008 were. This is mainly only notable b/c Kelly Link loves Scott Pilgrim! I knew I liked that chick.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
2008 book 197
Roberto Bolano's 2666
Man, I feel like I've been reading this book for a year. It's almost 900 pages long--of course, they're mostly 900 very good pages, but it's kind of slow going. The story is divided into five parts, and halfway through the first part--about a bunch of academics who all study a reclusive German writer--I was sure this was going to be on my best of the year list. This impression lasted through parts two and three, and then I got to "The Part About the Crimes" (that's what it's called). Much of the story alludes to a border town in Mexico where women are being murdered, and the part about the crimes is pretty much just that. Sure, there's plot and characters, but for THREE HUNDRED PAGES, there are many, many descriptions of the discoveries of the bodies of women who have been raped and murdered. For three hundred pages! I tore through the first three parts and then it took me like four days to get through those pages. Horrifying. Because the novel was published posthumously, I assume it didn't get much editing, and that section could really have used some--I mean, I almost didn't keep reading. But I'm glad I did, because part five, the story of the reclusive German writer, was pretty great, and really brought it all home. A/A-.
PS: Hanukkah content! I saw a Best Buy commercial today that was Hanukkah themed (a dad buys a daughter an ipod accessory for the first 7 nights of Hanukkah and on the 8th she gets the ipod). Anyway, hooray for big box stores caring about Jews (even if it is just to shill ipod accessories. I mean, honestly, why would you need 7??? I have, like, the headphones mine came with, some speakers, and a little case I knitted). I don't think I've ever seen a Hanukkah commercial before, so it was pretty awesome.
Man, I feel like I've been reading this book for a year. It's almost 900 pages long--of course, they're mostly 900 very good pages, but it's kind of slow going. The story is divided into five parts, and halfway through the first part--about a bunch of academics who all study a reclusive German writer--I was sure this was going to be on my best of the year list. This impression lasted through parts two and three, and then I got to "The Part About the Crimes" (that's what it's called). Much of the story alludes to a border town in Mexico where women are being murdered, and the part about the crimes is pretty much just that. Sure, there's plot and characters, but for THREE HUNDRED PAGES, there are many, many descriptions of the discoveries of the bodies of women who have been raped and murdered. For three hundred pages! I tore through the first three parts and then it took me like four days to get through those pages. Horrifying. Because the novel was published posthumously, I assume it didn't get much editing, and that section could really have used some--I mean, I almost didn't keep reading. But I'm glad I did, because part five, the story of the reclusive German writer, was pretty great, and really brought it all home. A/A-.
PS: Hanukkah content! I saw a Best Buy commercial today that was Hanukkah themed (a dad buys a daughter an ipod accessory for the first 7 nights of Hanukkah and on the 8th she gets the ipod). Anyway, hooray for big box stores caring about Jews (even if it is just to shill ipod accessories. I mean, honestly, why would you need 7??? I have, like, the headphones mine came with, some speakers, and a little case I knitted). I don't think I've ever seen a Hanukkah commercial before, so it was pretty awesome.
stuff
I'm still plowing my way through 2666, so in the meantime, here's some random stuff to entertain you and keep the blog hits up:
Bookslut has an interview with Cynthia Ozick, one of my favorites.
Speaking of favorites, one of my favorite comic book series, Fables, might become a tv show. I mean, it does have everything a good tv show needs: magic, romance, violence, shapeshifting, war, and wolfbabies.
Oh, and here's a really sweet blog post about how Francoise Mouly got involved with Art Spiegelman. It's holiday-oriented!
And finally: Time Magazine's top everything of 2008. They have like 50 lists of top tens. One is animal stories (puppycam made the cut!). That is my kind of list.
Bookslut has an interview with Cynthia Ozick, one of my favorites.
Speaking of favorites, one of my favorite comic book series, Fables, might become a tv show. I mean, it does have everything a good tv show needs: magic, romance, violence, shapeshifting, war, and wolfbabies.
Oh, and here's a really sweet blog post about how Francoise Mouly got involved with Art Spiegelman. It's holiday-oriented!
And finally: Time Magazine's top everything of 2008. They have like 50 lists of top tens. One is animal stories (puppycam made the cut!). That is my kind of list.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
2008 book 196
Emily Franklin, ed. How to Spell Hannukkah
Thank you, Alonquin Books, for publishing a book of essays by funny and touching writers about their experiences with Hanukkah (which is how I spell it). As I mentioned in my last post, being Jewish this time of year is really weird. I think I'm getting more militantly anti-Christmas as I get older, or maybe it's just that it's easier to feel a part of things when you're surrounded by lots of Jewish friends (many of the essays in this book bear that out). Anyway, it's a great collection, and just what I needed. A.
Thank you, Alonquin Books, for publishing a book of essays by funny and touching writers about their experiences with Hanukkah (which is how I spell it). As I mentioned in my last post, being Jewish this time of year is really weird. I think I'm getting more militantly anti-Christmas as I get older, or maybe it's just that it's easier to feel a part of things when you're surrounded by lots of Jewish friends (many of the essays in this book bear that out). Anyway, it's a great collection, and just what I needed. A.
Friday, December 05, 2008
holidays
Sorry for the lack of posting (I guess it's only been a couple of days but it feels longer)--i'm finally reading 2666 (which is awesome so far, in the literal sense) and it's like 800 pages long, plus thought-provoking, so it'll take me a few days to finish it. Plus I have to start packing for my exciting move this weekend.
Anyway, the usual Christmas season annoyance is upon me--I HATE being bombarded by a holiday I don't celebrate, and it's everywhere! The radio, tv movies, in stores, even in my office suite. I cannot escape. So I'm going to post lots of Hanukkah content in a paltry effort to combat the pervasive Christmas Spirit.
On that note, check out these awesome electric menorahs! Mine is clunky and ugly (unsurprisingly, the Menorah selection in north Florida is pretty poor--I got mine at Target a couple years ago as cats and fire seem like a bad combination) but these are gorgeous!
Also, the latest Bon Appetit has some great-sounding latke recipes, like these made with butternut squash and these cauliflower ones that make me almost want to break out my superannoying food processor.
And speaking of food--check out these pretty pretty Hanukkah cupcakes. I was so excited to see some Hanukkah content in my Google reader today!
Anyway--happy holidays! Especially, happy Hanukkah (it starts December 21st).
Anyway, the usual Christmas season annoyance is upon me--I HATE being bombarded by a holiday I don't celebrate, and it's everywhere! The radio, tv movies, in stores, even in my office suite. I cannot escape. So I'm going to post lots of Hanukkah content in a paltry effort to combat the pervasive Christmas Spirit.
On that note, check out these awesome electric menorahs! Mine is clunky and ugly (unsurprisingly, the Menorah selection in north Florida is pretty poor--I got mine at Target a couple years ago as cats and fire seem like a bad combination) but these are gorgeous!
Also, the latest Bon Appetit has some great-sounding latke recipes, like these made with butternut squash and these cauliflower ones that make me almost want to break out my superannoying food processor.
And speaking of food--check out these pretty pretty Hanukkah cupcakes. I was so excited to see some Hanukkah content in my Google reader today!
Anyway--happy holidays! Especially, happy Hanukkah (it starts December 21st).
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
2008 book 195
Bernadine Evaristo's Blonde Roots
I'm reviewing this for Library Journal--it comes out sometime next month. It's excellent--kind of speculative historical fiction, based on the premise that Africans enslaved Europeans, instead of vice versa. A.
I'm reviewing this for Library Journal--it comes out sometime next month. It's excellent--kind of speculative historical fiction, based on the premise that Africans enslaved Europeans, instead of vice versa. A.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
P1010080
Check it out--lizard ridge is done! As promised, my mom finished sewing all the squares together before Thanksgiving and I brought it home with me. It's huge--like almost big enough to be a bedspread--and I have no idea what to do with it! It seems too nice to just cuddle up under and watch tv.
Now back to knitting a baby blanket for friends (almost done!) and then I get to play with all the pretty new yarn I got in Pittsburgh. I just have to decide what project to try first . . .
Now back to knitting a baby blanket for friends (almost done!) and then I get to play with all the pretty new yarn I got in Pittsburgh. I just have to decide what project to try first . . .
Saturday, November 29, 2008
2008 books 193 and 194
Back from Pittsburgh and I have actually read some in the past couple of days!
Sarah Vowell's Wordy Shipmates
I'm sure nothing in this book is new to American religion historians, but it's a fairly entertaining and pop culture-infused look at Puritan New England. It's even more entertaining if you imagine Vowell reading it out loud--does it come as an audiobook? B+.
Rachel Kushner's Telex from Cuba
The lives of several people intersect on the eve of the Cuban revolution in an American-owned community. A.
Sarah Vowell's Wordy Shipmates
I'm sure nothing in this book is new to American religion historians, but it's a fairly entertaining and pop culture-infused look at Puritan New England. It's even more entertaining if you imagine Vowell reading it out loud--does it come as an audiobook? B+.
Rachel Kushner's Telex from Cuba
The lives of several people intersect on the eve of the Cuban revolution in an American-owned community. A.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
2008 book 192
Charlaine Harris' A Bone to Pick
After enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse books, I decided to try one of Harris' other series. This one is about a librarian in small town Georgia who loves mystery books. You'd think this would be right up my alley, escept it's super boring! The librarian is just a dull character, and the mystery had no tension whatever. Part of the fun of msteries is trying to figure out, you know, whodunnit. Here, they present some missing ppl who could be victims, and then the protagonist starts dating a minister, and a cat has kittens, and then there's a reveal out of nowhere. So lame. LAME! F.
BTW, I'm in Pittsburgh and it's snowing.
After enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse books, I decided to try one of Harris' other series. This one is about a librarian in small town Georgia who loves mystery books. You'd think this would be right up my alley, escept it's super boring! The librarian is just a dull character, and the mystery had no tension whatever. Part of the fun of msteries is trying to figure out, you know, whodunnit. Here, they present some missing ppl who could be victims, and then the protagonist starts dating a minister, and a cat has kittens, and then there's a reveal out of nowhere. So lame. LAME! F.
BTW, I'm in Pittsburgh and it's snowing.
Monday, November 24, 2008
stuff i've shared
Some awesome stuff has come into my reader lately . . . like this montage of indie rockers on Pete and Pete! Why won't season 3 come out on dvd????
Play Black Friday Bingo.
Kyle Baker has an awesome-looking book on cartooning coming out.
The 10 best cookbooks of 2008.
Play Black Friday Bingo.
Kyle Baker has an awesome-looking book on cartooning coming out.
The 10 best cookbooks of 2008.
rilla of ingleside discussion
Sorry for the delay--I totally spaced on Friday (blame the mouth pain)!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
2008 book 191
Toni Morrison's A Mercy
I'm sure this will get all sorts of positive reviews, just b/c it's Toni Morrison, but I didn't like it that much. It started off strong, with the four different women (slaves and mistress) of a household in 1690 narrating their experiences, but the end was pretty stupid and random. The final part was also really predictable. B-.
I'm sure this will get all sorts of positive reviews, just b/c it's Toni Morrison, but I didn't like it that much. It started off strong, with the four different women (slaves and mistress) of a household in 1690 narrating their experiences, but the end was pretty stupid and random. The final part was also really predictable. B-.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
2008 book 190
Nancy Huston's Fault Lines
Blerg. This book started off on a terrible note, being narrated by a precocious asshole of a six-year-old (writers trying to create inner oices for precocious children never succeed and just piss me off). Then the story is narrated in turn by six-year-old versions of his father, grandmother, and great-grandmother (who are all at least more likable). Family secrets emerge, blah blah, this book wasn't good at all. I don't care what prizes it won. C.
Blerg. This book started off on a terrible note, being narrated by a precocious asshole of a six-year-old (writers trying to create inner oices for precocious children never succeed and just piss me off). Then the story is narrated in turn by six-year-old versions of his father, grandmother, and great-grandmother (who are all at least more likable). Family secrets emerge, blah blah, this book wasn't good at all. I don't care what prizes it won. C.
twilight: the movie
So a couple of friends and I went to see the Twilight movie tonight--one had never read the books and only knew what wikipedia had to say about them, the other had read and enjoyed the first one. We were expecting teen melodrama, angst, etc, and I will say that we got that in spades. The audience was responsive--they applauded whe Robert Pattinson first appeared, and laughed at his hammy facial expressions during the biology class scene (the director did not intend for those scenes to be funny, for the record). I actually enjoyed the first half of the movie--Catherine Hardiwicke totally gets teenagers--but god did it drag on. I thought for sure it was over three hours and was shocked to look at my watch afterward and see that it was barely two. The consensus in our little group was that it really was a terrible movie. And I'm still on Team Jacob.
Friday, November 21, 2008
more vampires!
TWoP compares the True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse world to Twilight.
Though I will say, the last couple of Sookie Stackhouse books were way too chaste. She needs a new love interest, stat.
Though I will say, the last couple of Sookie Stackhouse books were way too chaste. She needs a new love interest, stat.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
kindle?
I've been lusting after a Kindle for a while, but more in theory than in anything else. Especially when I'm getting ready to head home for Thanksgiving with a huge stack of books in tow, the Kindle is really appealing--all those books and more in one lightweight device! Of course, the cost is prohibitive (not just the initial $350 smackeroos, but new books cost $9.99--still cheaper than a bookstore, but I get my books for free from the library. Of course I could just stock up on the complete works of Jane Austen and Mark Twain, as classics are fifty cents a pop).
Then I wondered--does the Kindle even have the books I want?
Let's see, using all the books on my library hold list!
-Toni Morrison's A Mercy--Yup! And Morrison's other works range from $2.50 to $7.95.
-Marilynne Robinson's Home--Yup!
-Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates--Yup!
-Stephanie Kallos' Sing Them Home--Nope.
-Brad Meltzer's The Book of Lies--Yup. (No surprise there--my fricking supermarket sells this book. Which makes me not want to read it, but that's another blog entry.)
-Carmen Laforet's Nada--Nope.
-Josh Bazell's Beat the Reaper--Nope.
-Charlie Huston's The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death--No, but they have a bunch of other books by him.
-Roberto Bolano's 2666--No, which is surprising, since this book is getting lots of buzz.
-Jeffery Deaver's The Bodies Left Behind--Yup.
-Bridget Asher's My Husband's Sweethearts--Yup. (And they even have a couple of books written under Asher's real name, Julianna Baggott.)
-Rachel Kushner's Telex from Cuba--Yup.
-Kirsten Menger-Anderson's Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain--Nope.
-A.B. Yehoshua's Friendly Fire--Nope.
-Jonathan Carroll's The Ghost in Love--Yup.
-Peter Manseau's Songs for the Butcher's Daughter--Yup.
-Tamar Yellin's Tales of the Ten Lost Tribes--Nope.
-Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking--No, but it's not being published till December 2nd.
They also have every Charlaine Harris book, like, ever, which is cool b/c I've been thinking of reading one of her other mystery series.
I think that's 9/18 . . . so based on this small sample size, there's a 50% chance any given book I want to read is available on the Kindle. Of course, the nice thing about getting books from a library is that if they suck, I haven't paid for them, and ten bucks a pop would add up. But on the other hand, it'd be sweet to have all the books I want to read in one small place, instead of in random piles around my apartment. Oh Kindle, why hasn't your price gone down for the holidays??
Then I wondered--does the Kindle even have the books I want?
Let's see, using all the books on my library hold list!
-Toni Morrison's A Mercy--Yup! And Morrison's other works range from $2.50 to $7.95.
-Marilynne Robinson's Home--Yup!
-Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates--Yup!
-Stephanie Kallos' Sing Them Home--Nope.
-Brad Meltzer's The Book of Lies--Yup. (No surprise there--my fricking supermarket sells this book. Which makes me not want to read it, but that's another blog entry.)
-Carmen Laforet's Nada--Nope.
-Josh Bazell's Beat the Reaper--Nope.
-Charlie Huston's The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death--No, but they have a bunch of other books by him.
-Roberto Bolano's 2666--No, which is surprising, since this book is getting lots of buzz.
-Jeffery Deaver's The Bodies Left Behind--Yup.
-Bridget Asher's My Husband's Sweethearts--Yup. (And they even have a couple of books written under Asher's real name, Julianna Baggott.)
-Rachel Kushner's Telex from Cuba--Yup.
-Kirsten Menger-Anderson's Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain--Nope.
-A.B. Yehoshua's Friendly Fire--Nope.
-Jonathan Carroll's The Ghost in Love--Yup.
-Peter Manseau's Songs for the Butcher's Daughter--Yup.
-Tamar Yellin's Tales of the Ten Lost Tribes--Nope.
-Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking--No, but it's not being published till December 2nd.
They also have every Charlaine Harris book, like, ever, which is cool b/c I've been thinking of reading one of her other mystery series.
I think that's 9/18 . . . so based on this small sample size, there's a 50% chance any given book I want to read is available on the Kindle. Of course, the nice thing about getting books from a library is that if they suck, I haven't paid for them, and ten bucks a pop would add up. But on the other hand, it'd be sweet to have all the books I want to read in one small place, instead of in random piles around my apartment. Oh Kindle, why hasn't your price gone down for the holidays??
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
2008 book 189
Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge
I really enjoyed this--it's a series of connected short stories set in a small town in Maine, many centering on the canankerous and elderly titulat schoolteacher. A/A-.
I really enjoyed this--it's a series of connected short stories set in a small town in Maine, many centering on the canankerous and elderly titulat schoolteacher. A/A-.
Monday, November 17, 2008
partially read
Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin's Three Cups of Tea
Ughhhh. I'm sure you all can guess that I didn't choose this title for library book group--I'm SO not into inspiring non-fiction. And this was soooo annoying. I made it to page 175 but seriously can't take any more of the cheesy, patronizing, self-congratulatory writing. (It's sooo overblown, like check this out from page 85, "his face changed as quickly as a mountain crag fired by a shaft of sun."--Are you freaking kidding me?!) I'm not sure what there's even to discuss about this. "Yeah, this guy did great things, raising money to start schools in the poor regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan!" "I totally agree!" " . . . " "OK, now what do we talk about for an hour?" I also felt that the writing was a little racist/paternalistic on some level--the author(s) really wanted to make these poverty-stricken Muslims into characters--they never feel like real people, at all. In fact, Mortenson himself is something of a caricature. Terrible, terrible book. Now the real question is, how much of this will I say at book group on Wednesday, when I know that the coworker who suggested it loves it?
Ughhhh. I'm sure you all can guess that I didn't choose this title for library book group--I'm SO not into inspiring non-fiction. And this was soooo annoying. I made it to page 175 but seriously can't take any more of the cheesy, patronizing, self-congratulatory writing. (It's sooo overblown, like check this out from page 85, "his face changed as quickly as a mountain crag fired by a shaft of sun."--Are you freaking kidding me?!) I'm not sure what there's even to discuss about this. "Yeah, this guy did great things, raising money to start schools in the poor regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan!" "I totally agree!" " . . . " "OK, now what do we talk about for an hour?" I also felt that the writing was a little racist/paternalistic on some level--the author(s) really wanted to make these poverty-stricken Muslims into characters--they never feel like real people, at all. In fact, Mortenson himself is something of a caricature. Terrible, terrible book. Now the real question is, how much of this will I say at book group on Wednesday, when I know that the coworker who suggested it loves it?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
2008 book 188
Laila Lalami's Secret Son
Here's something that's great about Twitter--Algonquin has an account and sometimes gives away free advance copies, and I was lucky enough to snap this one up. I loved Lalami's previous book and have been waiting for this one ever since. Anyway, it focuses on a young Moroccan man who discovers that his father, whom he believed was dead, is not only alive, but is super rich. Of course's he's seduced by his father's wealth, but things take a downturn and what happens next has an air of inevitability. It's pretty depressing at times, but in a good way. Attn librarians: I think this would be a really good book group choice--lots of great things to discuss in terms of family, identity, culture clashes, etc. I hope some of you read it when it comes out so I'll have someone to discuss it with! A/A-.
Here's something that's great about Twitter--Algonquin has an account and sometimes gives away free advance copies, and I was lucky enough to snap this one up. I loved Lalami's previous book and have been waiting for this one ever since. Anyway, it focuses on a young Moroccan man who discovers that his father, whom he believed was dead, is not only alive, but is super rich. Of course's he's seduced by his father's wealth, but things take a downturn and what happens next has an air of inevitability. It's pretty depressing at times, but in a good way. Attn librarians: I think this would be a really good book group choice--lots of great things to discuss in terms of family, identity, culture clashes, etc. I hope some of you read it when it comes out so I'll have someone to discuss it with! A/A-.
howdy
Sorry for the lack of updates. I had some oral surgery on Friday and have mostly been sleeping, eating milkshakes, and whining since then. I just haven't had the attention span to sit and read, though I did start playing Animal Crossing on my DS and love it. I'm also catching up on this season of ANTM thanks to a marathon on MTV. I have tomorrow off work too (which is good ince my mouth is super painful and a little swollen still) so may actually finish a book then. Also, tomorrow afternoon I get to move beyond ingesting only cold liquids to anything mushy (mashed potatoes, here I come!), so that will be super exciting.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
2008 books 186 and 187
C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair and The Horse and his Boy
These really do kind of decrease in quality a little after the third one--Eustace and Jill and Shasta just aren't as interesting as the original four children. Also, Horse instoduces the Calormenes, who recur in the last volume (which is very, very racist, as the Calormenes are some sort of evil dark-skinned Muslim/Hindu hybrid).
Hey--I've beat last year's book record already! I may hit 200 this year.
These really do kind of decrease in quality a little after the third one--Eustace and Jill and Shasta just aren't as interesting as the original four children. Also, Horse instoduces the Calormenes, who recur in the last volume (which is very, very racist, as the Calormenes are some sort of evil dark-skinned Muslim/Hindu hybrid).
Hey--I've beat last year's book record already! I may hit 200 this year.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2008 books 184 and 185
C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The problem with series books is that once you start, you can't stop! What's been interesting to me on this umpteenth rereading is that, as much as everyone talks about the Christological aspects of Aslan in the first and last books, it's also really evident in this third one, though in a much subtler way. (Of course, as a nice Jewish girl-child reading these, I never noticed any of it--Lewis does a great job of weaving it into the story while still making all the kids and princes and animals totally riveting.)
The problem with series books is that once you start, you can't stop! What's been interesting to me on this umpteenth rereading is that, as much as everyone talks about the Christological aspects of Aslan in the first and last books, it's also really evident in this third one, though in a much subtler way. (Of course, as a nice Jewish girl-child reading these, I never noticed any of it--Lewis does a great job of weaving it into the story while still making all the kids and princes and animals totally riveting.)
2008 book 183
C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
I keep reading articles saying that you shouldn't watch tv or look at computers or whatever before you fall asleep b/c it messes with your eyes or brains or something. Anyway, I decided to try and read before bed and picked up this classic--but even though I've read it a million times, it's such a good story that I couldn't put it down till I was done. Apparently I need to find more boring books for bedtime.
Speaking of felines, I want this dvd all about kittens desperately. Animal Planet needs a cute/baby animal channel offshoot, for real.
I keep reading articles saying that you shouldn't watch tv or look at computers or whatever before you fall asleep b/c it messes with your eyes or brains or something. Anyway, I decided to try and read before bed and picked up this classic--but even though I've read it a million times, it's such a good story that I couldn't put it down till I was done. Apparently I need to find more boring books for bedtime.
Speaking of felines, I want this dvd all about kittens desperately. Animal Planet needs a cute/baby animal channel offshoot, for real.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
2008 book 182
Selden Edwards' The Little Book
It's pretty hard to go wrong with a book that has rock stars, heroes, time travel, history, romance, music, and family. Even when I correctly guessed plot point, I was happy ("Yes! I called it!!!") and not annoyed, b/c this book was anything but predictable. A.
It's pretty hard to go wrong with a book that has rock stars, heroes, time travel, history, romance, music, and family. Even when I correctly guessed plot point, I was happy ("Yes! I called it!!!") and not annoyed, b/c this book was anything but predictable. A.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
partially read
Martha Powers' Conspiracy of Silence
I made it to page 52 before I had to stop--the dialogue was just painfully bad. TERRIBLE. I flipped ahead to the end to see how the mystery ended and I totally had correctly guessed the killer based on my 52 pages. It was all just awful, boring, and lame. I can't figure out where I read a good review of this--b/c I definitely won't trust its judgment again.
I made it to page 52 before I had to stop--the dialogue was just painfully bad. TERRIBLE. I flipped ahead to the end to see how the mystery ended and I totally had correctly guessed the killer based on my 52 pages. It was all just awful, boring, and lame. I can't figure out where I read a good review of this--b/c I definitely won't trust its judgment again.
2008 book 181
Stewart O'Nan's Songs for the Missing
A teenage girl goes missing and of course it affects her family, friends, etc. It was pretty well-written and moving, but the end felt a little rushed, and I'm not sure it'll really stay with me now that I'm done. B+/B.
A teenage girl goes missing and of course it affects her family, friends, etc. It was pretty well-written and moving, but the end felt a little rushed, and I'm not sure it'll really stay with me now that I'm done. B+/B.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
2008 book 180
Louise Erdrich's The Plague of Doves
Erdrich is a reliably good writer, and this novel is no exception--a few different people tell the story of a small North Dakota town, and the aftermath of a brutal murder that happened there. Great characters, as always. A-.
Erdrich is a reliably good writer, and this novel is no exception--a few different people tell the story of a small North Dakota town, and the aftermath of a brutal murder that happened there. Great characters, as always. A-.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
P6250138
YES WE CAN!!!
I took this pic at ALA in 2005--didn't he look presidential???
Good job, America!
Seeing Jon Stewart call it may have been my favorite part. :)
Also--Barack Obama in 1240 cupcakes. Delicious AND inspiring.
I took this pic at ALA in 2005--didn't he look presidential???
Good job, America!
Seeing Jon Stewart call it may have been my favorite part. :)
Also--Barack Obama in 1240 cupcakes. Delicious AND inspiring.
best books
It seems a little early to be listing the best books of the year, but PW did it anyway. I've only read a few of the fiction books (though I've had the Erdrich sitting on my bedroom floor since ALA and keep meaning to read it) but it looks like a pretty good selection, and I'll be adding a few to my library hold list. The graphic novel list is great too, btw!
Oh, and here's Amazon's list of their top 100. It's not nicely divided into categories like the PW one and there's a lot of title overlap, but I guess it's worth a look.
Oh, and here's Amazon's list of their top 100. It's not nicely divided into categories like the PW one and there's a lot of title overlap, but I guess it's worth a look.
Monday, November 03, 2008
2008 book 179
Roxana Robinson's Cost
It's late, so: an excellent novel about a slightly dysfunctional family dealing with a member's heroin addiction. A.
It's late, so: an excellent novel about a slightly dysfunctional family dealing with a member's heroin addiction. A.
animal intelligence
I'm dying to read Alex & Me, even though I normally eschew non-fiction--but I'm interested in people talking about animal cognition--I think most pet owners would agree that animals can be quite intelligent, especially when they want their breakfasts--and actually, the book I'm currently reading mentioned this as well, which seems a sign. Check out the great feature on Bookslut. I'm hoping my library gets it in soon!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
vampires and more!
I know all my loyal readers are desperate to know--have I really not read a book all week?? The answer is yes! And it's not an issue of a dearth of new reading material--I have a stack of a few appealing titles. It's just that I've been knitting a baby blanket for friends C+C, and there's a deadline on that kind of knitting project. First I was knitting and watching Dr. Who (I still haven't adjusted to David Tennant, but I'm early in season 2) and as of yesterday I've been knitting and watching True Blood (thanks Mike!). Gotta get my Sookie Stackhouse fix! It's surprisingly loyal to the first book, though they've made Tara and Lafayette more important to the story, and Jason is somehow even skeevier.
Speaking of vampire stories--here's an NY Times piece on making the Twilight movie.
Anyway, my reading may be light this week as well, since I'm working a few nights this week and thus am missing my usual evening reading time. Sad, I know.
Speaking of vampire stories--here's an NY Times piece on making the Twilight movie.
Anyway, my reading may be light this week as well, since I'm working a few nights this week and thus am missing my usual evening reading time. Sad, I know.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
all i want for hanukkah's my two front teeth
But since I won't be getting those till January or so . . . here are some awesome gifts you can give me (or people who have similar tastes):
Check it out! Lush has a Hanukkah-themed gift box! (Lush gift cards or presents will be appreciated by any lovely lady.)
This baby-blue digital camera is both adorable and pretty hooked up. It also comes in pink and white!
Tokidoki bags are finally available again, perfect for the girl of any age who loves cuteness. (I personally want the Graziosa bag in Eco Mondo, hint hint, mom!)
Speaking of things that are adorable, Animal Crossing for the DS probably can't be beat.
For girls who are a little tougher, there's always the collected Middleman comics (the tv show would be appreciated too, but it's not on DVD yet. Of course, your giftee can buy it with an itunes gift card).
There are also lots of gifts for the cooks in your life. Try the Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer Ice Cream Maker attachment. There are also lots of cool-looking cookbooks on my cookbook wishlist. Foodies may also appreciate these cupcake salt and pepper shakers or, if you're a big spender, this cupcake charm from Tiffany (the blue lollipop is also cute).
The holiday season is fast approaching! Start thinking of what you want to buy me now!
(Just kidding!!!)
Check it out! Lush has a Hanukkah-themed gift box! (Lush gift cards or presents will be appreciated by any lovely lady.)
This baby-blue digital camera is both adorable and pretty hooked up. It also comes in pink and white!
Tokidoki bags are finally available again, perfect for the girl of any age who loves cuteness. (I personally want the Graziosa bag in Eco Mondo, hint hint, mom!)
Speaking of things that are adorable, Animal Crossing for the DS probably can't be beat.
For girls who are a little tougher, there's always the collected Middleman comics (the tv show would be appreciated too, but it's not on DVD yet. Of course, your giftee can buy it with an itunes gift card).
There are also lots of gifts for the cooks in your life. Try the Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer Ice Cream Maker attachment. There are also lots of cool-looking cookbooks on my cookbook wishlist. Foodies may also appreciate these cupcake salt and pepper shakers or, if you're a big spender, this cupcake charm from Tiffany (the blue lollipop is also cute).
The holiday season is fast approaching! Start thinking of what you want to buy me now!
(Just kidding!!!)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2008 book 178
Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind
This is apparently the first book in a series which I'm expecting to get a lot more buzz. It's a really promising start to what will be a crazy epic fantasy story, as a man who's now an innkeeper tells the story of his past--when he was a legendary hero. This covers his childhood in a theatre troupe and his teen years at a university learning magical fantasy things. There's romance, friendship, demons, magic, music, and jerkwads--what more does any story need? A/A-.
This is apparently the first book in a series which I'm expecting to get a lot more buzz. It's a really promising start to what will be a crazy epic fantasy story, as a man who's now an innkeeper tells the story of his past--when he was a legendary hero. This covers his childhood in a theatre troupe and his teen years at a university learning magical fantasy things. There's romance, friendship, demons, magic, music, and jerkwads--what more does any story need? A/A-.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
2008 books 176 and 177
Charlaine Harris' All Together Dead
This was a pretty good outing in the Sookie Stackhouse series--a convention of vampire higher-ups is targeted, but by who?? Lots of excitement and intrigue.
Charlaine Harris' From Dead to Worse
I was bummed to reach the last book in the series, knowing I'd have to wait months and months for the new one--and then I read it. It's by far the weakest, maybe b/c there's no overarching mystery to add narrative tension. Instead, it's all wereworlf political drama, and vampire political drama, and even the addition of some long-lost relatives for Sookie didn't make things any better. I'll still read the next one when it comes out, though.
In other news, I early voted today! The line was 45 minutes long. I was glad I'd had a book with me.
This was a pretty good outing in the Sookie Stackhouse series--a convention of vampire higher-ups is targeted, but by who?? Lots of excitement and intrigue.
Charlaine Harris' From Dead to Worse
I was bummed to reach the last book in the series, knowing I'd have to wait months and months for the new one--and then I read it. It's by far the weakest, maybe b/c there's no overarching mystery to add narrative tension. Instead, it's all wereworlf political drama, and vampire political drama, and even the addition of some long-lost relatives for Sookie didn't make things any better. I'll still read the next one when it comes out, though.
In other news, I early voted today! The line was 45 minutes long. I was glad I'd had a book with me.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
2008 book 175
Julia Glass' I See You Everywhere
I love Glass' books (she wrote the acclaimed Three Junes as well as the generally ignored The Whole World Over) and this was no exception. It's the story of two sisters, who alternate their stories, over twenty-five years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. A.
I think I'm well on track to beat last year's record of 186 books--I have over two months left, after all, and probably more than 11 books in my to-read pile. Good times.
I love Glass' books (she wrote the acclaimed Three Junes as well as the generally ignored The Whole World Over) and this was no exception. It's the story of two sisters, who alternate their stories, over twenty-five years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. A.
I think I'm well on track to beat last year's record of 186 books--I have over two months left, after all, and probably more than 11 books in my to-read pile. Good times.
2008 books 173 and 174
Charlaine Harris' Club Dead
I started reading the 6th book in the series and it kept referring back to previous events, so I figured I'd go buy the one I skipped and get caught up. Unfortunately, none of those events were in this book, just the events I'd already picked up from the 4th, but it was still a fairly enjoyable read.
Charlaine Harris' Definitely Dead
Which brings us to the 6th one. This reads like I missed a book in the series--referring to events that never happened in the books, which is really frustrating. I actually checked to make sure I had the whole series and I did. So this one is very weirdly written--I'd rather have seen the events that led to Sookie discovering her cousin was a vampire and then solving the mystery of her death, as opposed to just reading dialogue discussing it. Do any of you read these books? Did I miss one somewhere?
Anyway, after that I think I'm taking a break from vampires for a little while, and then I'll read the last two in the series.
I started reading the 6th book in the series and it kept referring back to previous events, so I figured I'd go buy the one I skipped and get caught up. Unfortunately, none of those events were in this book, just the events I'd already picked up from the 4th, but it was still a fairly enjoyable read.
Charlaine Harris' Definitely Dead
Which brings us to the 6th one. This reads like I missed a book in the series--referring to events that never happened in the books, which is really frustrating. I actually checked to make sure I had the whole series and I did. So this one is very weirdly written--I'd rather have seen the events that led to Sookie discovering her cousin was a vampire and then solving the mystery of her death, as opposed to just reading dialogue discussing it. Do any of you read these books? Did I miss one somewhere?
Anyway, after that I think I'm taking a break from vampires for a little while, and then I'll read the last two in the series.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
2008 book 172
Charlaine Harris' Dead as a Doornail
I think I'm going to be bummed when I run out of books in this series--luckily I have three more, plus the one I skipped. Anyway, in this one a sniper is shooting various shifters (Harris' terms for people who turn into animals) and Sookie has to figure out who it is! The mysteries are really secondary to other plots in these books--I counted five or six love interests in this one alone. It's all hilarious and very entertaining.
I think I'm going to be bummed when I run out of books in this series--luckily I have three more, plus the one I skipped. Anyway, in this one a sniper is shooting various shifters (Harris' terms for people who turn into animals) and Sookie has to figure out who it is! The mysteries are really secondary to other plots in these books--I counted five or six love interests in this one alone. It's all hilarious and very entertaining.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
2008 book 171
Tim Bowler's Frozen Fire
This book was really, really weird. I don't even have anything else to say about it.
This book was really, really weird. I don't even have anything else to say about it.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
2008 book 170
Charlaine Harris' Dead to the World
This is actually the 4th Sookie Stackhouse book--I picked it up at a used bookstore in Hilton Head that didn't have the third one. Luckily this is one of those series that tends to repeat itself somewhat (I even flagged a descriptive sentence in this one that's been used, word-for-word, before) so I figured out what had happened in that one pretty easily. Anyway, this one involves more vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, etc, as Sookie's brother goes missing. Most of those characters are hot guys that Sookie lusts after in graphic terms (she's a butt girl), which is entertaining. I'm not sure why I like this series so much, except that they're like candy--totally unfilling, not healthy or good for me in any way, but so so yummy and addictive.
This is actually the 4th Sookie Stackhouse book--I picked it up at a used bookstore in Hilton Head that didn't have the third one. Luckily this is one of those series that tends to repeat itself somewhat (I even flagged a descriptive sentence in this one that's been used, word-for-word, before) so I figured out what had happened in that one pretty easily. Anyway, this one involves more vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, etc, as Sookie's brother goes missing. Most of those characters are hot guys that Sookie lusts after in graphic terms (she's a butt girl), which is entertaining. I'm not sure why I like this series so much, except that they're like candy--totally unfilling, not healthy or good for me in any way, but so so yummy and addictive.
Friday, October 17, 2008
2008 books 168 and 169
Barbara Hall's The Music Teacher
Library Journal sent this to me to review--I liked it!
Charlaine Harris' Living Dead in Dallas
This was just as silly as the first one (and not just b/c the murder mystery goes forgotten for a huge chunk of the book). But I bought a couple more of the series at a used bookstore and plan to keep reading, b/c they're pretty entertaining.
Library Journal sent this to me to review--I liked it!
Charlaine Harris' Living Dead in Dallas
This was just as silly as the first one (and not just b/c the murder mystery goes forgotten for a huge chunk of the book). But I bought a couple more of the series at a used bookstore and plan to keep reading, b/c they're pretty entertaining.
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