Lynn Freed's The Servants' Quarters
This book started off strongly, but about halfway through devolved into sheer annoyingness. I'm too annoyed to even attempt a plot synopsis. C.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
2009 book 103
Linda Olsson's Sonata for Miriam
This was a dreamy, somewhat philosophical novel about a man who, after his daughter dies, decides to investigate what happened to his parents in Poland during the Holocaust and then to see the mother of his daughter for the first time in years. Pretty much everything happens the way I thought it would, but it was interesting enough. B.
This was a dreamy, somewhat philosophical novel about a man who, after his daughter dies, decides to investigate what happened to his parents in Poland during the Holocaust and then to see the mother of his daughter for the first time in years. Pretty much everything happens the way I thought it would, but it was interesting enough. B.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
2009 book 102
Charlaine Harris' Dead and Gone
The ninth Sookie Stackhouse book didn't really impress me--the series has been losing steam for a while now, focusing more on politics b/w various groups of supernaturals and not really on the protagonist. It all feels kind of like fan-fiction--lots of romantic drama, not a lot of actual plot. Plus there are way too many secondary and tertiary characters, and the ancillary mystery wasn't interesting or imbued with any kind of narrative tension. In a word, meh. I'll still watch the tv show though. C.
The ninth Sookie Stackhouse book didn't really impress me--the series has been losing steam for a while now, focusing more on politics b/w various groups of supernaturals and not really on the protagonist. It all feels kind of like fan-fiction--lots of romantic drama, not a lot of actual plot. Plus there are way too many secondary and tertiary characters, and the ancillary mystery wasn't interesting or imbued with any kind of narrative tension. In a word, meh. I'll still watch the tv show though. C.
2009 book 101
Gillian Flynn's Dark Places
Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects, was one of my favorites of 2006. Her second is in the same mold, centering on a young woman whose family was slaughtered when she was a little kid, and her brother went to prison for the deed. Stuck for money, she gets involved with a group of true crime aficionados who swear her brother is innocent and who pay her to talk to people from her past. The novel switches back and forth between present day and the day of the murders, to great effect, and the end is definitely satisfying. I realize this description must read kind of boring, but the book was really totally awesome and I highly recommend it. A. (I'm categorizing it as a mystery since it pretty much is one, but in the literary/psychological/Kate Atkinson style.)
Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects, was one of my favorites of 2006. Her second is in the same mold, centering on a young woman whose family was slaughtered when she was a little kid, and her brother went to prison for the deed. Stuck for money, she gets involved with a group of true crime aficionados who swear her brother is innocent and who pay her to talk to people from her past. The novel switches back and forth between present day and the day of the murders, to great effect, and the end is definitely satisfying. I realize this description must read kind of boring, but the book was really totally awesome and I highly recommend it. A. (I'm categorizing it as a mystery since it pretty much is one, but in the literary/psychological/Kate Atkinson style.)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
2009 book 100
Laurie R. King's The Language of Bees
Thanks to Elizabeth for alerting me to the fact that the newest Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery was out! This wasn't my favorite in the series--it's a little bit slow-moving, and I think I prefer the ones with more Russell-Holmes team-up action--but it's another fun entry, as Holmes' son (who's a serious retcon even in this kind of series) asks for help in locating his missing wife and child. B.
Thanks to Elizabeth for alerting me to the fact that the newest Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery was out! This wasn't my favorite in the series--it's a little bit slow-moving, and I think I prefer the ones with more Russell-Holmes team-up action--but it's another fun entry, as Holmes' son (who's a serious retcon even in this kind of series) asks for help in locating his missing wife and child. B.
Monday, May 11, 2009
2009 book 99
Catherine Jinks' The Reformed Vampire Support Group
I should really start a category on this blog for books about teenage vampires, b/c gosh do I read a lot of them. This one skews away from a lot of the typical mythology--the vampires aren't superpowered or anything, they're actually pretty sickly, and there aren't many of them. The main character, Nina, became a vampire in 1973 at the age of 15 and still lives with her mother 35 years later, going to a weekly support group meeting with the other local vampires (who all sprang from the same source). Then one of them is staked and they have to figure out who killed him before the rest get killed too. Anyway, this is a kind of a lighter side of vampires--there are some creepy bits, and some dark bits, but also a good deal of humor and even a touch of romance. A-.
I should really start a category on this blog for books about teenage vampires, b/c gosh do I read a lot of them. This one skews away from a lot of the typical mythology--the vampires aren't superpowered or anything, they're actually pretty sickly, and there aren't many of them. The main character, Nina, became a vampire in 1973 at the age of 15 and still lives with her mother 35 years later, going to a weekly support group meeting with the other local vampires (who all sprang from the same source). Then one of them is staked and they have to figure out who killed him before the rest get killed too. Anyway, this is a kind of a lighter side of vampires--there are some creepy bits, and some dark bits, but also a good deal of humor and even a touch of romance. A-.
P5100023
I finally got to see Wye Oak live tongiht and it was such a fun show! I love their songs and was totally impressed w/ them live (not least when the drummer played drums and various other instruments--keyboard, melodica--AT THE SAME TIME!). Can't wait to see them again at xxmerge!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
2009 book 98
Tania James' Atlas of Unknowns
This is the story of two sisters growing up in India--one lies her way into a prestigious scholarship in America, then runs away when her lies surface, while the other, injured in a childhood accident, finds success as an artist and then tries to use her success to find her missing sister. Both sisters-and the myriad other characters they encounter--are very well-written, and the story is abundantly satisfying. A.
This is the story of two sisters growing up in India--one lies her way into a prestigious scholarship in America, then runs away when her lies surface, while the other, injured in a childhood accident, finds success as an artist and then tries to use her success to find her missing sister. Both sisters-and the myriad other characters they encounter--are very well-written, and the story is abundantly satisfying. A.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
robin
A robin built its nest over the porchlight at my parents' house. My dad (and his telephoto lens) did not disturb her. Here's hoping for pictures of baby birds soon!
Friday, May 08, 2009
2009 book 97
Ysabeau Wilce's Flora's Dare
The sequel starts off a little eh-ish, and is kind of all over the place, but there are some great twists and unexpected turns and the end is surprisingly satisfying. The internet indicates there will be a third book in the series, so I'm looking forward to that. B+ for both books.
The sequel starts off a little eh-ish, and is kind of all over the place, but there are some great twists and unexpected turns and the end is surprisingly satisfying. The internet indicates there will be a third book in the series, so I'm looking forward to that. B+ for both books.
2009 book 96
Ysabeau S. Wilce's Flora Segunds
I tend to like the kind of fantasy books where the heroine isn't some magical chosen one, but a more realistic stubborn, lazy, cake-eating teenager. This isn't a groundbreaking or amazing story, but it was entertaining enough and I'll read the sequel.
I tend to like the kind of fantasy books where the heroine isn't some magical chosen one, but a more realistic stubborn, lazy, cake-eating teenager. This isn't a groundbreaking or amazing story, but it was entertaining enough and I'll read the sequel.
some stuff i've shared
Jodi Picoult attacks "poorly written" Da Vinci Code. I LOVE when authors get really mad that other authors outsell them. And frankly, Picoult has no room to talk. The last chapter of My Sister's Keeper is easily the worst thing I've ever read. I still get angry when I think about it. Yes, actually angry.
This Epicurious app for the iPhone/iTouch actually makes me want one! Seriously, that website has so many great recipes--everything from Gourmet and Bon Appetit from the most recent issues to like years back, plus other mags and cookbooks. It'd be so cool to be in the supermarket and have the recipe and the ingredients right in your purse! I mean, you can just write them down like I do, but eh, holding a pen is hard.
And speaking of recipes, here are Sara Foster's favorite cookbooks. Mmmm, Foster's Market.
And yay, Love is a Four-Letter Word is getting raves! It's so exciting to know the editor and a contributor--you guys are gonna be famous!!
This Epicurious app for the iPhone/iTouch actually makes me want one! Seriously, that website has so many great recipes--everything from Gourmet and Bon Appetit from the most recent issues to like years back, plus other mags and cookbooks. It'd be so cool to be in the supermarket and have the recipe and the ingredients right in your purse! I mean, you can just write them down like I do, but eh, holding a pen is hard.
And speaking of recipes, here are Sara Foster's favorite cookbooks. Mmmm, Foster's Market.
And yay, Love is a Four-Letter Word is getting raves! It's so exciting to know the editor and a contributor--you guys are gonna be famous!!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
2009 book 95
Jean Hanff Korelitz's Admission
I'm not really sure what to say about this book, which is about a woman who works in the admission office at Princeton (the author, whose husband is a Princeton prof, apparently was a part-time admissions reader for two years). It's not that it's not an ok read, but it has a lot of problems. Like the protagonist has way too many speeches about the admissions process. And the big secret is (I'm sure supposed to be) obvious, but it's officially revealed annoyingly late. And the end is kind of a mess from a story point of view. Eh. B.
I'm not really sure what to say about this book, which is about a woman who works in the admission office at Princeton (the author, whose husband is a Princeton prof, apparently was a part-time admissions reader for two years). It's not that it's not an ok read, but it has a lot of problems. Like the protagonist has way too many speeches about the admissions process. And the big secret is (I'm sure supposed to be) obvious, but it's officially revealed annoyingly late. And the end is kind of a mess from a story point of view. Eh. B.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
2009 book 94
Elinor Lipman's The Family Man
I love Lipman and was excited to pick up an advance copy of this novel at a conference--then a friend read it and wasn't impressed, so it's been languishing on my bedroom floor for months. And what a waste of months those were, since I really enjoyed it! It was the review in last week's EW that finally convinced me to read it--though I should note that the review isn't really accurate in terms of plot, it does nail the charm of the characters. A-.
I love Lipman and was excited to pick up an advance copy of this novel at a conference--then a friend read it and wasn't impressed, so it's been languishing on my bedroom floor for months. And what a waste of months those were, since I really enjoyed it! It was the review in last week's EW that finally convinced me to read it--though I should note that the review isn't really accurate in terms of plot, it does nail the charm of the characters. A-.
Monday, May 04, 2009
2009 book 93
Emily Fox Gordon's It Will Come to Me
Apparently Gordon is an acclaimed memoirist and this is her first novel. It's a quick read with some interesting goings-on; it deals with the chair of a Philosophy department at a small college in Texas and his wife, a former well-known author. The jacket description talks about how things get chaotic when a famous memoirist and her husband join the faculty, but they were really pretty minor characters. Actually most of what happens in this book is pretty minor (though Gordon does nail academic culture). Part of the problem is that the protagonist (the novelist wife) isn't really that likable or interesting, and also conflicts in the story get resolved way too neatly. B/B-.
Apparently Gordon is an acclaimed memoirist and this is her first novel. It's a quick read with some interesting goings-on; it deals with the chair of a Philosophy department at a small college in Texas and his wife, a former well-known author. The jacket description talks about how things get chaotic when a famous memoirist and her husband join the faculty, but they were really pretty minor characters. Actually most of what happens in this book is pretty minor (though Gordon does nail academic culture). Part of the problem is that the protagonist (the novelist wife) isn't really that likable or interesting, and also conflicts in the story get resolved way too neatly. B/B-.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
2009 book 92
Gayle Forman's If I Stay
If you thought about a YA novel that centered on a talented teenage cellist (w/ a rock star boyfriend, of course) who gets into an accident and spends 24 hours watching events unfold and deciding whether to live or die, this would be exactly the book you expected. I mean, it's not bad--I got a little teary at times, and the central family is well-written--but nothing unexpected or even especially interesting happens, ever. I imagine this will be a best-seller anyway--it's getting lots of buzz since it was optioned for a movie before it was even published, to be directed by Catherine Hardwicke. I don't know what grade to give this--it was a perfectly serviceable story but didn't rock my world in any way. B/B+?
If you thought about a YA novel that centered on a talented teenage cellist (w/ a rock star boyfriend, of course) who gets into an accident and spends 24 hours watching events unfold and deciding whether to live or die, this would be exactly the book you expected. I mean, it's not bad--I got a little teary at times, and the central family is well-written--but nothing unexpected or even especially interesting happens, ever. I imagine this will be a best-seller anyway--it's getting lots of buzz since it was optioned for a movie before it was even published, to be directed by Catherine Hardwicke. I don't know what grade to give this--it was a perfectly serviceable story but didn't rock my world in any way. B/B+?
Friday, May 01, 2009
i heart western pa
Check this out, it's part of a new webseries that a friend from college directs/works on. They totally nail those Western PA accents, plus there's a Snuggie.
2009 book 91
Christian Moerk's Darling Jim
Oh my GOSH was this book good! It's about what happens when two sisters and their aunt are found dead, and then a young postal worker finds the diary of one of the sisters in the dead letter box and decides to investigate their lives and their relationships with the mysterious titular Jim. Only it's all dark and creepy and wonderful. It's really a well-crafted novel with amazing characters and probably will be on my best of the year list. A.
Oh my GOSH was this book good! It's about what happens when two sisters and their aunt are found dead, and then a young postal worker finds the diary of one of the sisters in the dead letter box and decides to investigate their lives and their relationships with the mysterious titular Jim. Only it's all dark and creepy and wonderful. It's really a well-crafted novel with amazing characters and probably will be on my best of the year list. A.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
2009 book 90
Peter Rock's My Abandonment
A girl and her father, living off of the grid, are discovered by a jogger and their lives are totally disrupted. I really enjoyed these characters, though wished the main character had been aged a little younger, as she sounded younger than 13. Also, the very end really depressed me. It's really well-written and moving though. A-.
A girl and her father, living off of the grid, are discovered by a jogger and their lives are totally disrupted. I really enjoyed these characters, though wished the main character had been aged a little younger, as she sounded younger than 13. Also, the very end really depressed me. It's really well-written and moving though. A-.
2009 book 89
Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark
This really is a pretty terrible book--clumsy writing, people professing love for each other after knowing each other for twenty pages, etc--but it was just the kind of brainless read I needed! And of course I'll be reading the new Sookie Stackhouse book when it comes out in a couple of weeks. Anywya, to get a higher-quality vampire fix, I'm going to re-watch Buffy season one, since it's been a looooong time since I sat down w/ some Buffy.
This really is a pretty terrible book--clumsy writing, people professing love for each other after knowing each other for twenty pages, etc--but it was just the kind of brainless read I needed! And of course I'll be reading the new Sookie Stackhouse book when it comes out in a couple of weeks. Anywya, to get a higher-quality vampire fix, I'm going to re-watch Buffy season one, since it's been a looooong time since I sat down w/ some Buffy.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
hey
I haven't read a book in a week--can you believe that? It has to be some kind of record. I keep starting books, but having to put them down before I get into them, and then not caring enough to pick them back up. I think it's the heat (my a/c is broken).
So here's a few interesting links to tide you over:
Doesn't this carrot cake sound delicious? I don't have the patience to chop dates into a paste, so may try it with some extra banana and just throw a few dried chopped dates in for flavor.
A bunch of artists drew Kitty Pryde (my favorite superhero) for charity.
And--awesome Ms Pac-man cupcakes!
So here's a few interesting links to tide you over:
Doesn't this carrot cake sound delicious? I don't have the patience to chop dates into a paste, so may try it with some extra banana and just throw a few dried chopped dates in for flavor.
A bunch of artists drew Kitty Pryde (my favorite superhero) for charity.
And--awesome Ms Pac-man cupcakes!
Friday, April 24, 2009
P4240009
Sorry for the lack of posting. I haven't been excited enough (or bored enough) about any of my library books to read any of them, plus I started a fidgety new knitting project that's taking up some time. Here's a picture of a robin by the radio station to tide you over till I think of something interesting to say! Or at least till I read a dang book.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
2009 book 88
Laura Lippman's Life Sentences
This was categorized as a mystery at the library--I guess b/c mysteries are Lippman's usual fare--but it wasn't much of one. Which isn't to say it's a bad story, just that it's not a very good mystery. It's really more of a character study, as a fifty-something memoirist decides to investigate a case involving a childhood classmate. But it's much more about the memoirit meandering down memory lane than it is about the case, and when the information is finally revealed, it's really anticlimactic. I think I would have liked this much more if it hadn't been billed as a mystery and if it had a different ending. B.
This was categorized as a mystery at the library--I guess b/c mysteries are Lippman's usual fare--but it wasn't much of one. Which isn't to say it's a bad story, just that it's not a very good mystery. It's really more of a character study, as a fifty-something memoirist decides to investigate a case involving a childhood classmate. But it's much more about the memoirit meandering down memory lane than it is about the case, and when the information is finally revealed, it's really anticlimactic. I think I would have liked this much more if it hadn't been billed as a mystery and if it had a different ending. B.
Monday, April 20, 2009
jane austen comics
While I was fairly amused by Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Marvel's new P&P comic book is pretty bad. The cover is great, but the art inside is just awful. All the Bennett girls look sultry and slutty, and there's none of Austen's humor. I was really disappointed--it looks just thrown together, with no thought put into it. Kate Beaton is right--she is the only one who should be making comics about Jane Austen and her work.
Also speaking of comics, here's a funny review from Unshelved written by a dude at First Second (they put out pretty great books themselves).
Also speaking of comics, here's a funny review from Unshelved written by a dude at First Second (they put out pretty great books themselves).
2009 book 87
Angela Carter's Wise Children
A very British-witty look at a complicated family of performers, this novel was really entertaining, if moderately fluffy and unbelievable. B+.
A very British-witty look at a complicated family of performers, this novel was really entertaining, if moderately fluffy and unbelievable. B+.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
2009 book 86
Sally Beauman's The Sisters Mortland
This wasn't a bad novel--it deals with a family of three sisters and their various family friends in the summer of 1967, when Something Terrible Happened--and then the story skips ahead to the early 90s as everyone looks back on that fateful summer. The characters are well-written and I liked the three-part narration, but parts of the end were really over-the-top and unbelievable in context. B/B-.
This wasn't a bad novel--it deals with a family of three sisters and their various family friends in the summer of 1967, when Something Terrible Happened--and then the story skips ahead to the early 90s as everyone looks back on that fateful summer. The characters are well-written and I liked the three-part narration, but parts of the end were really over-the-top and unbelievable in context. B/B-.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
omg CUTE.
Here's some awesomeness to tide you over till I have time to finish a book--my friend Karen snapped this amazing shot of a fox family in her neighbor's yard. Don't you just want to die of cuteness?
hey there
Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm working a bunch of extra hours this week, so I have little time or energy for reading or blogging.
In good news, it looks like The State DVD is FINALLY coming out. I just hope they put Cannonball back into the pants sketch! It was so perfectly timed to the song.
In good news, it looks like The State DVD is FINALLY coming out. I just hope they put Cannonball back into the pants sketch! It was so perfectly timed to the song.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
2009 book 85
Patrick Somerville's The Cradle
Really an excellent novel about a husband on a quest to find his pregnant wife's babyhood cradle, and all the stuff w/ their complicated families. I actually wished it had been longer b/c I liked the characters so much. A-.
Really an excellent novel about a husband on a quest to find his pregnant wife's babyhood cradle, and all the stuff w/ their complicated families. I actually wished it had been longer b/c I liked the characters so much. A-.
2009 book 84
Jedediah Barry's The Manual of Detection
Can't go wrong with a mystery with more than a few elements of the fantastic! When a star detective goes missing, his clerk is promoted to detective and must figure out what happened. I msut say that things do get a little bit weird, but in a good way. A-/B+.
Can't go wrong with a mystery with more than a few elements of the fantastic! When a star detective goes missing, his clerk is promoted to detective and must figure out what happened. I msut say that things do get a little bit weird, but in a good way. A-/B+.
Monday, April 13, 2009
2009 book 83
Chris Cleave's Little Bee
At first I didn't want to read this book based solely on its cover, which cries out "uplifting YA!!!" (the novel is neither). But it's gotten some good reviews so I went for it anyway. It's about two women who meet under terrible circumstances (revealed about halfway through)--and then meet again two years later under more bad circumstances. My problem with the story was that I just couldn't suspend enough disbelief to make it work at all--it was all just a little overwrought and unbelievable. Especially the end. B/B-.
At first I didn't want to read this book based solely on its cover, which cries out "uplifting YA!!!" (the novel is neither). But it's gotten some good reviews so I went for it anyway. It's about two women who meet under terrible circumstances (revealed about halfway through)--and then meet again two years later under more bad circumstances. My problem with the story was that I just couldn't suspend enough disbelief to make it work at all--it was all just a little overwrought and unbelievable. Especially the end. B/B-.
2009 book 82
Douglas Adams' Mostly Harmless
It's funny that I remembered this as being about Arthur and his daughter in New York, when they don't get there till like five pages from the end. Also, I can't believe I forgot about the sandwiches!! That did sound like an idyllic life.
It's funny that I remembered this as being about Arthur and his daughter in New York, when they don't get there till like five pages from the end. Also, I can't believe I forgot about the sandwiches!! That did sound like an idyllic life.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
2009 book 81
Douglas Adams' So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish
This is my favorite of the first four b/c it has a little romance!
This is my favorite of the first four b/c it has a little romance!
2009 book 80
Douglas Adams' Life, the Universe, and Everything
The third Hitchhiker book has slightly more of a plot than the first two (insofar as much as any of them have discernible plots)--apparently it's loosely based on an episode of Doctor Who that Adams wrote that was never made. It has some pretty funny bits, for sure.
The third Hitchhiker book has slightly more of a plot than the first two (insofar as much as any of them have discernible plots)--apparently it's loosely based on an episode of Doctor Who that Adams wrote that was never made. It has some pretty funny bits, for sure.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
2009 book 79
Douglas Adams' The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
What's interesting on rereading these is that they're not really discrete novels--they're one big story that happens to be divided into four books. I don't mean like how the Harry Potter books are one big story in seven books--each of those has a distinct beginning, middle, and end, whereas the Hitchhiker's books don't really have much in the way of literary structure. They're fun and silly though.
What's interesting on rereading these is that they're not really discrete novels--they're one big story that happens to be divided into four books. I don't mean like how the Harry Potter books are one big story in seven books--each of those has a distinct beginning, middle, and end, whereas the Hitchhiker's books don't really have much in the way of literary structure. They're fun and silly though.
Friday, April 10, 2009
2009 book 78
Sara Houghteling's Pictures at an Exhibition
This novel, which focuses on a Jewish/French art dealer's son on the eve of and just after WWII, should have been compelling, but the flow was just horrible. I mean, the characters are ok, and the story is strong I guess, but it was just too jumpy and there was little emotional impact to anything. B-.
This novel, which focuses on a Jewish/French art dealer's son on the eve of and just after WWII, should have been compelling, but the flow was just horrible. I mean, the characters are ok, and the story is strong I guess, but it was just too jumpy and there was little emotional impact to anything. B-.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
P4070040
Just got back from the Crooked Fingers/Neko Case show, which was totally awesome. Unfortunately, I did not get any awesome shots w/ my awesome new camera, as photography was not allowed (even w/o a flash) and I was scolded by an usher after sneaking this picture. Apparently I am not actually sneaky.
Anyway, both bands were great--Neko Case was backed by some amazing musicians (including a banjo guy and an upright bass guy) and played pretty much all of my favorite Neko songs. It was a little weird to be in a seated venue--on the one hand, I'm kind of old and tired now and it's nice to sit down, but on the other, I couldn't dance around when I wanted to. It was like, are we allowed to yell "wooo!" after songs, or just applaud politely? ("Woo!"ing seemed to be encouraged.)
Anyway, both bands were great--Neko Case was backed by some amazing musicians (including a banjo guy and an upright bass guy) and played pretty much all of my favorite Neko songs. It was a little weird to be in a seated venue--on the one hand, I'm kind of old and tired now and it's nice to sit down, but on the other, I couldn't dance around when I wanted to. It was like, are we allowed to yell "wooo!" after songs, or just applaud politely? ("Woo!"ing seemed to be encouraged.)
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
2009 book 77
Scott Lasser's The Year that Follows
I actually read this yesterday on the plane ride home, but couldn't be bothered to waste any time on my birthday to blog about it. It's just such a waste of paper. It's a post 9/11 novel dealing w/ a woman whose brother tells her on September 10th that he believes he has a son, and then he dies on 9/11. Then she and her dad are dealing w/ the aftermath. Sounds interesting enough, I guess, and the woman isn't a bad character, but the plots and endings are all completely unbelievable and stupid. C.
I actually read this yesterday on the plane ride home, but couldn't be bothered to waste any time on my birthday to blog about it. It's just such a waste of paper. It's a post 9/11 novel dealing w/ a woman whose brother tells her on September 10th that he believes he has a son, and then he dies on 9/11. Then she and her dad are dealing w/ the aftermath. Sounds interesting enough, I guess, and the woman isn't a bad character, but the plots and endings are all completely unbelievable and stupid. C.
Monday, April 06, 2009
P4060020
My awesome sibs (and soon-to-be sister-in-law) got me a sweet new digital camera for my birthday! To show them how appreciative I am, I want to use it lots and lots, so I'm going to try and take a photo a day--my 30th year (technically 31st, since there's a year before you turn 1, but whatever) in pictures!
Starting off--a birthday cupcake from Mad Hatter's. It looked much tastier than it was--I didn't finish it (too much icing). Very festive though!
Starting off--a birthday cupcake from Mad Hatter's. It looked much tastier than it was--I didn't finish it (too much icing). Very festive though!
2009 book 76
Susan Coolidge's What Katy Did
This is one of those heartwarming books where a girl learns to be Good and Kind in the face of adversity. I guess I read it at some formative time in my childhood, b/c I love this book. The sequels are dumb though.
Oh hey, I'm 30 today. That's pretty freaking weird. I'm spending the day flying back to Durham and hoping my car starts when I get there (it had trouble starting when I was driving to the airport last week). Good times.
This is one of those heartwarming books where a girl learns to be Good and Kind in the face of adversity. I guess I read it at some formative time in my childhood, b/c I love this book. The sequels are dumb though.
Oh hey, I'm 30 today. That's pretty freaking weird. I'm spending the day flying back to Durham and hoping my car starts when I get there (it had trouble starting when I was driving to the airport last week). Good times.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
2009 books 73,74, 75
L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs, and Emily's Quest
It's been years since I read these and I remembered absolutely nothing about them. The first one is pretty great, though very much in the mold of Anne of Green Gables--an orphan goes to live with some middle-aged relatives, one super stern, the others kind and loving, and she turns their worlds upside down with her imagination and irrepressible personality. Fine and dandy. The second two are not as fun--I don't like how Montgomery jumps back and forth between 1st and 3rd person narration all the time, and the third is really just a really long and melodramatic love quadrangle that you know is going to turn out just how you expect, so all the twists and turns just seem like a big waste of time. Also, my favorite character gets his heart broken b/c of course he's not the right love interest for Emily. Whatever!
It's been years since I read these and I remembered absolutely nothing about them. The first one is pretty great, though very much in the mold of Anne of Green Gables--an orphan goes to live with some middle-aged relatives, one super stern, the others kind and loving, and she turns their worlds upside down with her imagination and irrepressible personality. Fine and dandy. The second two are not as fun--I don't like how Montgomery jumps back and forth between 1st and 3rd person narration all the time, and the third is really just a really long and melodramatic love quadrangle that you know is going to turn out just how you expect, so all the twists and turns just seem like a big waste of time. Also, my favorite character gets his heart broken b/c of course he's not the right love interest for Emily. Whatever!
Saturday, April 04, 2009
2009 book 72
Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I read recently (on Twitter or someplace, I'm sure) that, considering its ability to access Wikipedia and all the other books you can load into it, the Kindle is something like the Hitchhiker's Guide. And it really is! Anyway, it made me want to reread this series, since it's been many years. It's still entertaining, but maybe not quite as hilarious as I remembered. Still, onto the next one!
I read recently (on Twitter or someplace, I'm sure) that, considering its ability to access Wikipedia and all the other books you can load into it, the Kindle is something like the Hitchhiker's Guide. And it really is! Anyway, it made me want to reread this series, since it's been many years. It's still entertaining, but maybe not quite as hilarious as I remembered. Still, onto the next one!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
2009 book 71
Spencer Quinn's Dog On It
OK, OK, I know what you're thinking. Is a mystery narrated by a dog actually worth reading? I was as skeptical as you are when my mom recommended it to me. But I have to say, hell yes it's worth reading! Especially when the dog is so lovable! This is no cutesy story--Quinn does a really good job ramping up the tension when a PI with the usual money and divorce issues and his dog sidekick take on the case of a missing teenager. I really enjoyed the dog's narrative voice, actually (barring once instance--I mean, would a dog really say someone is "the bomb"?) and will definitely read the next outing in this series. Not that parts aren't predictable, and the title is obviously terrible, but I really enjoyed it just the same. A-.
OK, OK, I know what you're thinking. Is a mystery narrated by a dog actually worth reading? I was as skeptical as you are when my mom recommended it to me. But I have to say, hell yes it's worth reading! Especially when the dog is so lovable! This is no cutesy story--Quinn does a really good job ramping up the tension when a PI with the usual money and divorce issues and his dog sidekick take on the case of a missing teenager. I really enjoyed the dog's narrative voice, actually (barring once instance--I mean, would a dog really say someone is "the bomb"?) and will definitely read the next outing in this series. Not that parts aren't predictable, and the title is obviously terrible, but I really enjoyed it just the same. A-.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
2009 book 70
Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
I was really excited and bemused on first hearing about this book, which puts zombies into P&P, and was looking forward to reading it . . . then I saw an excerpt online that just seemed silly and wasn't so sure. However, the first chapter totally converted me--Grahame-Smith does a great job of integrating the zombies into the story--it's not just like a paragraph inserted here and there, but instead zombies are inserted into everything! Like the first chapter ends with "The business of Mr. Bennett's life was to keep his daughters alive. The business of Mrs. Bennett's was to get them married." It's very funny. Oh, also there are ninjas.
I did have some minor beefs--due to a printing error, I was missing a 30 page chunk in whcih one character apparently becomes a zombie, and I'm dying to know the circumstances! Also, Grahame-Smith does have a little too loose of a hand over the majority of the story--he loses most of its subtlety, has way too many innuendos involving balls, and some of his changes to the end are pretty needless. Still, it was a very entertaining read, and I loved seeing the Bennett girls as total badasses. B+.
I was really excited and bemused on first hearing about this book, which puts zombies into P&P, and was looking forward to reading it . . . then I saw an excerpt online that just seemed silly and wasn't so sure. However, the first chapter totally converted me--Grahame-Smith does a great job of integrating the zombies into the story--it's not just like a paragraph inserted here and there, but instead zombies are inserted into everything! Like the first chapter ends with "The business of Mr. Bennett's life was to keep his daughters alive. The business of Mrs. Bennett's was to get them married." It's very funny. Oh, also there are ninjas.
I did have some minor beefs--due to a printing error, I was missing a 30 page chunk in whcih one character apparently becomes a zombie, and I'm dying to know the circumstances! Also, Grahame-Smith does have a little too loose of a hand over the majority of the story--he loses most of its subtlety, has way too many innuendos involving balls, and some of his changes to the end are pretty needless. Still, it was a very entertaining read, and I loved seeing the Bennett girls as total badasses. B+.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
2009 book 69
Scarlett Thomas' Dead Clever
I had remembered really liking Thomas' mystery series, but it turns out I thought the first one wasn't that great (check out how verbose I used to be in these reviews!).
Anyway, I'm heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow for oral surgery and family funtime, so I imagine I'll have lots more book blurbs coming soon.
I had remembered really liking Thomas' mystery series, but it turns out I thought the first one wasn't that great (check out how verbose I used to be in these reviews!).
Anyway, I'm heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow for oral surgery and family funtime, so I imagine I'll have lots more book blurbs coming soon.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
2009 book 68
Jincy Willett's Winner of the National Book Award
I really enjoyed this novel when I read it five years ago, but found it to be a little too depressing this time around.
I really enjoyed this novel when I read it five years ago, but found it to be a little too depressing this time around.
2009 book 67
Thrity Umrigar's The Weight of Heaven
God, was this book bad. It starts off interestingly enough--after their son dies, an American couple moves to India and get involved in the lives of the locals--particularly a local boy. Things clearly aren't going to end well, but it's ridiculous how idiotically they end. I mean, the end of this book was maybe the worst, most unbelievable ending I have ever read. D.
God, was this book bad. It starts off interestingly enough--after their son dies, an American couple moves to India and get involved in the lives of the locals--particularly a local boy. Things clearly aren't going to end well, but it's ridiculous how idiotically they end. I mean, the end of this book was maybe the worst, most unbelievable ending I have ever read. D.
Friday, March 27, 2009
comics etc
Working at a comic book store (the inestimable Chapel Hill Comics) gives me plenty of time to think about all the things I'd buy with my birthday* money, if I didn't need it to pay for, say, electricity and internet. Anyway, there are lots of cool things in stock, so come check some of these out!
--New Ugly Dolls! I love Babo's Bird best, but the limited edition Ox (in six different bright colors) is pretty sweet. too.
--Wonderland has gorgeous art and tackles the question of who is the mysterious Mary Ann of Alice in Wonderland?
--The Double-Daring Book for Girls--the first one was totally fun and I bet the sequel is too! (We have a ton of books along this line in the store.)
--Can't go wrong w/ a hefty autobiography by one of the great manga authors.
--Or with the latest pretty book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean.
--Or the complete Perry Bible Fellowship collection.
--I love perusing the Nicholas books. They're not comics, but they're by the Asterix dude, so we carry them, and they're pretty awesome.
--I also love the new editions of the Love and Rockets comics (my all-time favorite series, besides Scott Pilgrim). I own the content already but the formatting is just gorgeous on these.
--And speaking of favorites and of excellent formatting, the new Art Spiegelman sketchbook has incredible packaging.
____
* I will officially be old in 10 days.
--New Ugly Dolls! I love Babo's Bird best, but the limited edition Ox (in six different bright colors) is pretty sweet. too.
--Wonderland has gorgeous art and tackles the question of who is the mysterious Mary Ann of Alice in Wonderland?
--The Double-Daring Book for Girls--the first one was totally fun and I bet the sequel is too! (We have a ton of books along this line in the store.)
--Can't go wrong w/ a hefty autobiography by one of the great manga authors.
--Or with the latest pretty book by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean.
--Or the complete Perry Bible Fellowship collection.
--I love perusing the Nicholas books. They're not comics, but they're by the Asterix dude, so we carry them, and they're pretty awesome.
--I also love the new editions of the Love and Rockets comics (my all-time favorite series, besides Scott Pilgrim). I own the content already but the formatting is just gorgeous on these.
--And speaking of favorites and of excellent formatting, the new Art Spiegelman sketchbook has incredible packaging.
____
* I will officially be old in 10 days.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
2009 book 66
Alison Croggon's The Crow
Croggon takes a surprising turn in her third book, focusing on the protagonist's brother instead of the Chosen One herself (which is fine w/ me, as I've spent the past two books worried that she'll end up hooking up w/ her much older teacher/traveling companion). Anyway, war war blah blah magic lord of the rings. Not entirely my cup of tea, but still readable. I'm excited to read the fourth one, assuming the library gets it. B.
Croggon takes a surprising turn in her third book, focusing on the protagonist's brother instead of the Chosen One herself (which is fine w/ me, as I've spent the past two books worried that she'll end up hooking up w/ her much older teacher/traveling companion). Anyway, war war blah blah magic lord of the rings. Not entirely my cup of tea, but still readable. I'm excited to read the fourth one, assuming the library gets it. B.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
2009 book 65
Lisa Lutz's Revenge of the Spellmans
Lutz's third book about a family of eccentric--and very funny--PIs is another satisfying entry in the series. The mystery was light (though I only correctly guessed part of it), and as always the best part of the story is the relationships b/w all the characters. I will say that Lutz's editors need to work a little harder; I found a couple of minor but somewhat annoying continuity errors in this book and the previous one. A- (only b/c one romance I was hoping to see happen didn't, haha).
Lutz's third book about a family of eccentric--and very funny--PIs is another satisfying entry in the series. The mystery was light (though I only correctly guessed part of it), and as always the best part of the story is the relationships b/w all the characters. I will say that Lutz's editors need to work a little harder; I found a couple of minor but somewhat annoying continuity errors in this book and the previous one. A- (only b/c one romance I was hoping to see happen didn't, haha).
2009 book 64
Lisa Lutz's Curse of the Spellmans
OK, now I've reread the second Spellmans book, which is pretty much just as funny and entertaining as the first. And I'm still dying to read the new one! Stupid library not having it in yet.
OK, now I've reread the second Spellmans book, which is pretty much just as funny and entertaining as the first. And I'm still dying to read the new one! Stupid library not having it in yet.
Monday, March 23, 2009
2009 book 63
Markus Zusak's The Book Thief
I've been in a reading mood today, but don't have anything new to read, so decided to peruse the ol' bookshelves and pick out a good one. The Book Thief was one of my favorite books of 2006 and is still a great read--and I still sobbed through the final chapters. (It's a story that takes place in Germany during WWII and is narrated by Death--there are bound to be some tears. Still, it's mostly very beautiful.)
I've been in a reading mood today, but don't have anything new to read, so decided to peruse the ol' bookshelves and pick out a good one. The Book Thief was one of my favorite books of 2006 and is still a great read--and I still sobbed through the final chapters. (It's a story that takes place in Germany during WWII and is narrated by Death--there are bound to be some tears. Still, it's mostly very beautiful.)
2009 book 62
Lisa Lutz's Revenge of the Spellmans
The third Spellman book came out recently, and I've been dying to read it, but the dang library still doesn't have it! So I reread the first one, which is still an absolutely hilarious mystery involving a family of PIs.
The third Spellman book came out recently, and I've been dying to read it, but the dang library still doesn't have it! So I reread the first one, which is still an absolutely hilarious mystery involving a family of PIs.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
bsg finale
I (mostly) totally loved the BSG finale--but I had a few qualms/questions when it was all said and done. Spoilers in the comments!
Friday, March 20, 2009
2009 book 61
Alison Croggon's The Riddle
Since I had a lack of other things to read, I did decide to keep going w/ Croggan's YA fantasy epic series (scroll down to book 55, which was the first). This was a much better read--the writing was less clumsy, things were slightly more action-packed, and there were several unpredictable bits. My only beef with this series is that sometimes it feels a little bit like "oh hey, we're on a journey to discover something and the road is hard and dangerous things happen, and now we're stopping at a safe place and meeting awesome ppl who we love and who are hard to leave, but now we're back on our journey and the road is hard . . . rinse and repeat." I think I would mind the journeying less if the purpose was more defined (a la Lord of the Rings) but I'll still read the next one. B+.
Since I had a lack of other things to read, I did decide to keep going w/ Croggan's YA fantasy epic series (scroll down to book 55, which was the first). This was a much better read--the writing was less clumsy, things were slightly more action-packed, and there were several unpredictable bits. My only beef with this series is that sometimes it feels a little bit like "oh hey, we're on a journey to discover something and the road is hard and dangerous things happen, and now we're stopping at a safe place and meeting awesome ppl who we love and who are hard to leave, but now we're back on our journey and the road is hard . . . rinse and repeat." I think I would mind the journeying less if the purpose was more defined (a la Lord of the Rings) but I'll still read the next one. B+.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
yay shows
I went to my first show in over two months tonight, and it was so worth it--Broken West and AC Newman! Of course I was mainly there to see Broken West, who I LOVE, and who I hadn't seen since Tallahassee several years ago. They were still amazing live--K&K and I were totally bopping along the whole time--and I ran into Ross on my way out and he totally remembered me and my cookies and gave me two hugs! Aw!! Nicest rock star ever!!
AC Newman was also fun live (though I didn't stay for the whole set)--I don't have his new album but played a song during the show I subbed--and it all seemed so much more dynamic live! Maybe b/c his backing band was busting out everything from violins to recorders to, much to my delight, a melodica. Such a fun show, and I got to see lots of people I hadn't seen since I moved back, so that ruled too.
AC Newman was also fun live (though I didn't stay for the whole set)--I don't have his new album but played a song during the show I subbed--and it all seemed so much more dynamic live! Maybe b/c his backing band was busting out everything from violins to recorders to, much to my delight, a melodica. Such a fun show, and I got to see lots of people I hadn't seen since I moved back, so that ruled too.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
2009 book 60
Sandra Novack's Precious
It's a summer in the 70s in a small PA town, and everyone's dealing with a missing girl, and one family's dealing with the fact that their wife/mother left them. It all pretty much plays out the way you'd expect, and I feel like I've read similar books before. I guess it's worth noting that an author's note says some of this is autobiographical, in which case I feel pretty bad for the author, since it's a dark and depressing story. B.
It's a summer in the 70s in a small PA town, and everyone's dealing with a missing girl, and one family's dealing with the fact that their wife/mother left them. It all pretty much plays out the way you'd expect, and I feel like I've read similar books before. I guess it's worth noting that an author's note says some of this is autobiographical, in which case I feel pretty bad for the author, since it's a dark and depressing story. B.
2009 book 59
John Green's Paper Towns
I loved Green's last YA book, An Abundance of Katherines, so I was psyched to see he had a new one out. Unfortunately, it felt really formulaic--a nerdy kid loves the quirky girl next door, and they have a night of crazy adventures and then she disappears, blah blah prom blah blah road trips blah blah cliche cliche. It's some amalgamation of Katherines and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, except with teenagers inventing annoying slang. C.
I loved Green's last YA book, An Abundance of Katherines, so I was psyched to see he had a new one out. Unfortunately, it felt really formulaic--a nerdy kid loves the quirky girl next door, and they have a night of crazy adventures and then she disappears, blah blah prom blah blah road trips blah blah cliche cliche. It's some amalgamation of Katherines and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, except with teenagers inventing annoying slang. C.
Monday, March 16, 2009
2009 book 58
Victoria Forester's The Girl who could Fly
I started and promptly gave up on two other YA books before picking this one up, and I actually made it all the way through, which speaks in its favor. Anyway, it's about a girl who can fly; she end up getting send to a school for kids w/ special abilities, but just when you think things are going to take a turn toward the X-Men, everything turns out to be a lot darker and more interesting. B+.
I started and promptly gave up on two other YA books before picking this one up, and I actually made it all the way through, which speaks in its favor. Anyway, it's about a girl who can fly; she end up getting send to a school for kids w/ special abilities, but just when you think things are going to take a turn toward the X-Men, everything turns out to be a lot darker and more interesting. B+.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
2009 book 57
Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone
Well, this makes two great reads in a row! Maybe it's hard to go wrong with love, nuns, families, doctors, etc, in Ethiopia. Of course that makes it sound kind of cheesy--it's really about two identical twin boys whose mother, a nun, dies in childbirth. There are large and small family dramas as they grow up and both become involved in medicine. Anyway, I loved the characters, and this gets an A/A- b/c the end was kind of predictable.
Well, this makes two great reads in a row! Maybe it's hard to go wrong with love, nuns, families, doctors, etc, in Ethiopia. Of course that makes it sound kind of cheesy--it's really about two identical twin boys whose mother, a nun, dies in childbirth. There are large and small family dramas as they grow up and both become involved in medicine. Anyway, I loved the characters, and this gets an A/A- b/c the end was kind of predictable.
Friday, March 13, 2009
2009 book 56
Yoko Ogawa's The Housekeeper and the Professor
Excellent, excellent story about a housekeeper caring for an elderly mathematician whose memory only lasts 80 minutes. There's lots of stuff about math in here--but it's all really interesting and lovely. A.
Excellent, excellent story about a housekeeper caring for an elderly mathematician whose memory only lasts 80 minutes. There's lots of stuff about math in here--but it's all really interesting and lovely. A.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
2009 book 55
Alison Croggon's The Naming
Ah, fantasy epics, you're all the same. Take one orphan living in depressing circumstances, have him or her be revealed as having special powers, then reveal further that he or she is some sort of chosen one who must defeat some evil power or another. All of those elements are here--a young slave girl turns out to be a Bard, and has special powers, plus she's the chosen one. There's way too much traveling on dangerous roads in this story, plus an abundance of capital letters to make words sound Special and Meaningful. Some of the characters were very likable though. I mean, I enjoyed it enough to read the whole thing, but haven't decided if I'll read the next one yet (of course it's part of a series). B/B-.
Ah, fantasy epics, you're all the same. Take one orphan living in depressing circumstances, have him or her be revealed as having special powers, then reveal further that he or she is some sort of chosen one who must defeat some evil power or another. All of those elements are here--a young slave girl turns out to be a Bard, and has special powers, plus she's the chosen one. There's way too much traveling on dangerous roads in this story, plus an abundance of capital letters to make words sound Special and Meaningful. Some of the characters were very likable though. I mean, I enjoyed it enough to read the whole thing, but haven't decided if I'll read the next one yet (of course it's part of a series). B/B-.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
2009 book 54
Paul Jaskunas' Hidden
I did not enjoy this book at all. That's not to say it's a bad book--it's quite good, actually, from a literary point of view--but I didn't enjoy the story, about a woman whose ex-husband is in jail for brutally attacking her, until another man confesses to the crime. Also, I hate the cover of the book, which prominently features a buttcrack (in an arty way, of course, which is somehow even more annoying).
I did not enjoy this book at all. That's not to say it's a bad book--it's quite good, actually, from a literary point of view--but I didn't enjoy the story, about a woman whose ex-husband is in jail for brutally attacking her, until another man confesses to the crime. Also, I hate the cover of the book, which prominently features a buttcrack (in an arty way, of course, which is somehow even more annoying).
2009 book 53
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
It doesn't matter how many times I've read this, or that I know everything that's going to happen--I still can't put it down and I still get all teary for parts of it. It's really a great--and I mean that literally--ending to the series.
It doesn't matter how many times I've read this, or that I know everything that's going to happen--I still can't put it down and I still get all teary for parts of it. It's really a great--and I mean that literally--ending to the series.
Monday, March 09, 2009
2009 book 52
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I'm too eager to start re-reading the 7th book (again) to want to write much, so here's a link to the summer book discussion!
I'm too eager to start re-reading the 7th book (again) to want to write much, so here's a link to the summer book discussion!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
2009 book 51
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
This one took me a little longer to get through than the first four--not b/c it's traditionally been my least favorite (though I didn't mind it as much this time--there really are lots of bits to enjoy), but b/c a) I work on the weekends, and b) it's the longest one. I'm looking forward to tearing through the next two, though I am about to head out for pizza and Scrabble night!
This one took me a little longer to get through than the first four--not b/c it's traditionally been my least favorite (though I didn't mind it as much this time--there really are lots of bits to enjoy), but b/c a) I work on the weekends, and b) it's the longest one. I'm looking forward to tearing through the next two, though I am about to head out for pizza and Scrabble night!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
2009 book 50
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I think I'm at the point where I'm running out of things to say about Harry Potter (at least for the moment), so here, check out the comments from our HP book discussion from the summer.
I think I'm at the point where I'm running out of things to say about Harry Potter (at least for the moment), so here, check out the comments from our HP book discussion from the summer.
Friday, March 06, 2009
2009 book 49
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The third Harry Potter book is where the series really starts to feel epic, as the really detailed backstory created by Rowling begins to emerge. For a long time, this was my favorite of the books, and I still think it's one of the most satisfying.
The third Harry Potter book is where the series really starts to feel epic, as the really detailed backstory created by Rowling begins to emerge. For a long time, this was my favorite of the books, and I still think it's one of the most satisfying.
who watches the watchmen?
I do! More specifically, I watched it at the midnight showing at the Lumina tonight, since Chapel Hill Comics was having an event there. I'm tired, so I'll jsut note a few general impressions and minor gripes:
--Minor gripe: The movie kept calling the group of heroes "The Watchmen", whcih they were never really called in the book--the book's title is metaphorical. Or am I misremembering? (A friend has my copy.)
--Minor gripe: The soundtrack was AWFUL. Erin said it sound like they compiled it a week ago. Like a cemetery scene has "Sound of Silence" playing. And an 80s scene has "99 Luftballoons". Most egregious was Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"--a very unsexy song--playing over a VERY VERY graphic sex scene. Yikes. On several levels.
--The movie was a lot gorier than I like--I hid my eyes a lot but the sounds were just as yucky.
--I liked it well enough. The consensus at the end seemed to be "It was good" with a shrug. Does that average out to a B? No idea if people who haven't read it will enjoy it--I think it was fairly coherent, especially compared to the source, but of course I was filling in all the holes as it went along. I should note that I'm not a die-hard fan of the book--I get why it was so ground-breaking, but I'm not bummed about changes the movie made or things it left out. If you're interested in spoiler-ridden comparisons, here's a handy guide.
--Minor gripe: The movie kept calling the group of heroes "The Watchmen", whcih they were never really called in the book--the book's title is metaphorical. Or am I misremembering? (A friend has my copy.)
--Minor gripe: The soundtrack was AWFUL. Erin said it sound like they compiled it a week ago. Like a cemetery scene has "Sound of Silence" playing. And an 80s scene has "99 Luftballoons". Most egregious was Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"--a very unsexy song--playing over a VERY VERY graphic sex scene. Yikes. On several levels.
--The movie was a lot gorier than I like--I hid my eyes a lot but the sounds were just as yucky.
--I liked it well enough. The consensus at the end seemed to be "It was good" with a shrug. Does that average out to a B? No idea if people who haven't read it will enjoy it--I think it was fairly coherent, especially compared to the source, but of course I was filling in all the holes as it went along. I should note that I'm not a die-hard fan of the book--I get why it was so ground-breaking, but I'm not bummed about changes the movie made or things it left out. If you're interested in spoiler-ridden comparisons, here's a handy guide.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
2009 book 48
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Once you start, you just can't stop! It's a testament to Rowling's storytelling that, even though she introduces several annoying characters (Dobby, Lockhart, Colin), the second book is just as satisfying as the first one.
Once you start, you just can't stop! It's a testament to Rowling's storytelling that, even though she introduces several annoying characters (Dobby, Lockhart, Colin), the second book is just as satisfying as the first one.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
2009 book 47
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Seeing the HP movies on tv always makes me want to reread the books, and why fight such an awesome impulse? I was thinking on this umpteenth time through that Rowling really does know how to hook readers--from the very first chapter, when it's clear something unusual is happening, I'm just dying to know what's coming next! Even when I already know the answer. :)
Seeing the HP movies on tv always makes me want to reread the books, and why fight such an awesome impulse? I was thinking on this umpteenth time through that Rowling really does know how to hook readers--from the very first chapter, when it's clear something unusual is happening, I'm just dying to know what's coming next! Even when I already know the answer. :)
Monday, March 02, 2009
dfw; mad men
David Foster Wallace's unfinished novel is going to be published, and there's an excerpt at the New Yorker (also yet another piece on his life and death).
This is hilarious--Jewish Mad Men.
This is hilarious--Jewish Mad Men.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
2009 book 46
Lisa Genova's Still Alice
Genova's first novel is a moving story about a fifty-year-old Harvard professor who's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. A.
Genova's first novel is a moving story about a fifty-year-old Harvard professor who's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. A.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
2009 book 45
Jayne Anne Phillips' Lark and Termite
I've never read a book by Jayne Anne Phillips before--I think I was mixing her up w/ Jayne Anne Krentz, and assumed the books would be schlocky. Luckily, I read a good review of this novel, which focuses on a girl and her disabled brother in the 1950s, interspersing their stories with that of his father, a soldier in Korea. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and am sorry for ignoring Phillips' novels all these years! A-.
I've never read a book by Jayne Anne Phillips before--I think I was mixing her up w/ Jayne Anne Krentz, and assumed the books would be schlocky. Luckily, I read a good review of this novel, which focuses on a girl and her disabled brother in the 1950s, interspersing their stories with that of his father, a soldier in Korea. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and am sorry for ignoring Phillips' novels all these years! A-.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
baracksploitation
Hilarious article from the AV Club on yet another Obama comic book cover. This is something I deal with every day I work at the comic book store--the Obama/Spiderman comic book is still a huge seller, even on the fifth printing. A lot of people seem to be buying it for novelty purposes or as a souvenir, but there are some serious Obama memorabilia collectors as well. Savage Dragon #145 (as mentioned in the linked article) has a whole bunch of variant covers--my favorite (for amusement/bemusement reasons) involves Obama giving Savage Dragon a fist bump. Tres presidential! For realsies, though, I find the Obamamania of comic books (and its buyers) to be endlessly entertaining.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2009 book 44
Christopher Fowler's The Victoria Vanishes
This is apparently the fifth book in a series I've never heard of before, centering on the Peculiar Crimes Unit of the London police, with the usual cast of police characters. Their mystery deals with a woman who is murdered in a pub that vanishes overnight. I will say the reveal was pretty engaging and interesting, though an early chapter that's totally shoehorned in is obviously going to figure importantly later--I wish Fowler had fit it into the story better. Anyway, B.
This is apparently the fifth book in a series I've never heard of before, centering on the Peculiar Crimes Unit of the London police, with the usual cast of police characters. Their mystery deals with a woman who is murdered in a pub that vanishes overnight. I will say the reveal was pretty engaging and interesting, though an early chapter that's totally shoehorned in is obviously going to figure importantly later--I wish Fowler had fit it into the story better. Anyway, B.
things and stuff
Andy Richter will be reunited with Conan . . . as his new announcer. (!!!) This seems like a step down for Richter, but I'm psyched to see them together again. In June. Sigh.
Salman Rushdie is such a bitter douchebag. (Though I do agree w/ him about Benjamin Button.)
This history of American women authors looks pretty cool.
Pearls before Swine is doing a whole week of Yiddish-related comics.
Snapple is going to start using real sugar instead of HFCS. Yum!
Salman Rushdie is such a bitter douchebag. (Though I do agree w/ him about Benjamin Button.)
This history of American women authors looks pretty cool.
Pearls before Swine is doing a whole week of Yiddish-related comics.
Snapple is going to start using real sugar instead of HFCS. Yum!
Monday, February 23, 2009
2009 book 43
Nancy Werlin's Rules of Survival
I always forget that I don't usually like National Book Award winners or nominees, and this YA novel about three siblings trying to survive their crazy mother was no exception. B-/C+.
I always forget that I don't usually like National Book Award winners or nominees, and this YA novel about three siblings trying to survive their crazy mother was no exception. B-/C+.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
2009 book 42
Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Translated from the French, this novel centers on two of the residents of a fancy Paris apartment building--the middle-aged concierge and the twelve year old daughter of a well-to-do family, both of whom are pretending at mediocrity. Their lives intersect when a Japanese man moves into the building. I'm not sure how to describe this book--the usual "lovely" doesn't quite cut it. All the characters are great and I totally cried at the end. A.
Translated from the French, this novel centers on two of the residents of a fancy Paris apartment building--the middle-aged concierge and the twelve year old daughter of a well-to-do family, both of whom are pretending at mediocrity. Their lives intersect when a Japanese man moves into the building. I'm not sure how to describe this book--the usual "lovely" doesn't quite cut it. All the characters are great and I totally cried at the end. A.
Friday, February 20, 2009
2009 book 41
Kathryn Stockett's The Help
This novel--about a young white woman and two black maids who embark on a project together in Mississippi in 1962--has gotten mostly positive reviews and has already shot onto the bestseller lists. I will say that it's very readable, though I had a few problems with it--primarily that it squicks me out when white authors write from the POV of black people and use dialect. I think I would have given this a B+, but then I read the author's note at the end about how she loved her own black maid when she was growing up in Mississippi, and that made everything just awful and pretentious and white liberal guilt-ish. I don't know why her editor let her include it.
This novel--about a young white woman and two black maids who embark on a project together in Mississippi in 1962--has gotten mostly positive reviews and has already shot onto the bestseller lists. I will say that it's very readable, though I had a few problems with it--primarily that it squicks me out when white authors write from the POV of black people and use dialect. I think I would have given this a B+, but then I read the author's note at the end about how she loved her own black maid when she was growing up in Mississippi, and that made everything just awful and pretentious and white liberal guilt-ish. I don't know why her editor let her include it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
sad tv news, etc
Boo!! Apparently the Middleman won't be coming back to TV, which sucks, b/c it was pretty much the best show ever. A finale will be presented in comic book form. As someone who's read the Middleman comics, I'm pretty disappointed--it's just way better with Matt Keeslar and Natalie Morales delivering the hilarious zingers. I'm totally buying the DVD (even though I own all the eps from itunes) and hope lots of you buy it too, and maybe ABC Family will bring this amazing show back. I just don't understand why they're all over a crapfest like Secret Life of a Pregnant Teenager and her Very Annoying and Cliched Classmates when they could be airing a show that's actually good. Sigh!
Other stuff:
Here's the text of Haruki Murakami's speech on accepting the Jerusalem Prize. That guy rocks.
Proof that Snuggies are evil.
Kate Beaton does Scott Pilgrim.
Other stuff:
Here's the text of Haruki Murakami's speech on accepting the Jerusalem Prize. That guy rocks.
Proof that Snuggies are evil.
Kate Beaton does Scott Pilgrim.
2009 book 40
Josh Bazell's Beat the Reaper
A hitman-turned-doctor in witness protection is ID'd by a patient and stuff happens. Most of this book was entertaining (though somewhat glib, and the footnote got a little tiresome), but the last part was so gross that it gets downgraded to a B-.
A hitman-turned-doctor in witness protection is ID'd by a patient and stuff happens. Most of this book was entertaining (though somewhat glib, and the footnote got a little tiresome), but the last part was so gross that it gets downgraded to a B-.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Multimedia message
Gratuituous cat picture--JB jumped into the cabinet when I was getting a cereal bowl this morning.
2009 book 39
Kent Haruf's Eventide
The sequel to Plainsong is pretty depressing, which I'd forgotten, but it's still a good read. A-,
The sequel to Plainsong is pretty depressing, which I'd forgotten, but it's still a good read. A-,
Monday, February 16, 2009
2009 book 38
Kent Haruf's Plainsong
After reading Blue Heaven, I decided to reread my favorite book featuring gruff but kindly old men who take in a pregnant teenager. I love those characters so much that I always forget there are other people in this book too, with stories just as powerful. A.
After reading Blue Heaven, I decided to reread my favorite book featuring gruff but kindly old men who take in a pregnant teenager. I love those characters so much that I always forget there are other people in this book too, with stories just as powerful. A.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
2009 book 37
C.J. Box's Blue Heaven
I reread the entire Powers series today and was in the mood to read something else sort of gritty and noir-ish, and this thriller filled the bill well enough. It's about two kids who witness a bunch of corrupt ex-cops commit murder, and then become targets themselves. My favorite literary archetype, gruff old man with a heart of gold, was featured prominently, so this gets a A-.
I reread the entire Powers series today and was in the mood to read something else sort of gritty and noir-ish, and this thriller filled the bill well enough. It's about two kids who witness a bunch of corrupt ex-cops commit murder, and then become targets themselves. My favorite literary archetype, gruff old man with a heart of gold, was featured prominently, so this gets a A-.
Friday, February 13, 2009
great comics
I spent the afternoon going through my many boxes of comics and trying to organize them a little; as a reward, I've been rereading two of my all-time favorite series, Castle Waiting and Bone. They're also both pretty steady sellers at the comic book store--Bone is especially popular w/ the 6-8 set, but almost-30-year-old me enjoys it quite a bit too. :) If you're ever looking for something to read, you can't go wrong with either of those series--Bone finished its run a long time ago, but has been coming out again in color more recently, and Castle Waiting is an ongoing series that has a few different collected editions (I especially like this one, which collects the first couple of mini-series and looks like a classic fairy tale).
Now I'm getting ready for a geek night in--Dollhouse and BSG!
Now I'm getting ready for a geek night in--Dollhouse and BSG!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
links etc
I took a break from reading today after my 6-books-in-2-days book binge. Here are things to tide you over:
Anne of Galactic Gables.
Check out these awesome art cars! I like the floppy one.
Everything else I've shared lately was time sensitive and seems silly now--sorry!
Anne of Galactic Gables.
Check out these awesome art cars! I like the floppy one.
Everything else I've shared lately was time sensitive and seems silly now--sorry!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2009 boks 34, 35, 36
P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast's Chosen, Untamed, and Hunted
Why yes, I did stay up way too late last night and rush home this evening so I could finish all the books in the series (so far? I mean there's been five books, but only like three months of story, so I imagine there will be more). Anyway, in these the Goddess-worshiping, element-dealing, basically Wiccan Special vampi(y)res have to battle evil and whatnot--the usual plotlines. And though the writing is totally silly and awkward, and the protagonist falls in love with a new dude every five minutes, I seriously could. not. stop. reading these! Yay teen vampire books?
Why yes, I did stay up way too late last night and rush home this evening so I could finish all the books in the series (so far? I mean there's been five books, but only like three months of story, so I imagine there will be more). Anyway, in these the Goddess-worshiping, element-dealing, basically Wiccan Special vampi(y)res have to battle evil and whatnot--the usual plotlines. And though the writing is totally silly and awkward, and the protagonist falls in love with a new dude every five minutes, I seriously could. not. stop. reading these! Yay teen vampire books?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
2009 book 33
P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast's Betrayed
The second House of Night novel (terrible series name, but what can you do) starts off being kind of terrible and predictable, but actually got pretty exciting toward the end. It's sooooo Harry Potter meets Twilight, with the super-Special protagonist and her band of merry friends, but it's totally a fun guilty pleasure.
The second House of Night novel (terrible series name, but what can you do) starts off being kind of terrible and predictable, but actually got pretty exciting toward the end. It's sooooo Harry Potter meets Twilight, with the super-Special protagonist and her band of merry friends, but it's totally a fun guilty pleasure.
2009 book 32
Toni Jordan's Addition
A woman who's totally OCD and obsessive about counting starts dating a guy and her life inevitably changes. I got this from the library b/c I loved the cover--all multicolored polka dots on a blue background--but it was a pretty good read. B+.
A woman who's totally OCD and obsessive about counting starts dating a guy and her life inevitably changes. I got this from the library b/c I loved the cover--all multicolored polka dots on a blue background--but it was a pretty good read. B+.
2009 book 31
P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast's Marked
Yay, I found a new series of teen vampire books to read! The Casts, a mother-daughter writing team, spell vampire w/ a Y ("vampyre") so you can probably guess a little bit about the books from that. Anyway, it's sort of a Twilight meets Harry Potter thing, where teenagers suddenly start going through the capital-C change into vampires, and then get toted off to vampire boarding school. No, really. Protagonist Zoey is part Cherokee and the book merges Goddess vampire mythos with Cherokee ancestor spirits mythos in a fairly entertaining way. Everyone is sexy and whatnot, but this first falls strongly on the moralizing side of things (blow jobs and pot are explicitly bad). It's pretty much what you would expect--outcast teenager finds her niche and a motley crew of friends at vampire school, finds out she's Special, takes on the head bully girl, and gets involved with the requisite teen vampire hottie. Also, the writing is somewhat terrible--lots of exclamation points at parts. Still, I was thoroughly entertained and am totally reading the next one.
Yay, I found a new series of teen vampire books to read! The Casts, a mother-daughter writing team, spell vampire w/ a Y ("vampyre") so you can probably guess a little bit about the books from that. Anyway, it's sort of a Twilight meets Harry Potter thing, where teenagers suddenly start going through the capital-C change into vampires, and then get toted off to vampire boarding school. No, really. Protagonist Zoey is part Cherokee and the book merges Goddess vampire mythos with Cherokee ancestor spirits mythos in a fairly entertaining way. Everyone is sexy and whatnot, but this first falls strongly on the moralizing side of things (blow jobs and pot are explicitly bad). It's pretty much what you would expect--outcast teenager finds her niche and a motley crew of friends at vampire school, finds out she's Special, takes on the head bully girl, and gets involved with the requisite teen vampire hottie. Also, the writing is somewhat terrible--lots of exclamation points at parts. Still, I was thoroughly entertained and am totally reading the next one.
Monday, February 09, 2009
2009 book 30
Philip Hensher's The Northern Clemency
God, I feel like I'e been reading this book for a year. This Booker nominee started off strong--about two families and their intertwined lives, in 1970s England, full of great small familiy dramas--but 300 pages in, it got really boring, skipping ahead years at a go and giving ridiculous plot lines to all these minor characters. I swear I found one two page section that described characters who aren't even in the rest of the book. And the bits that were interesting just got left by the wayside. A few of the characters were really lovable, but several were loathsome. Anyway, it was really slow and way too long (597 pages). I wonder if the Booker committee made it all the way through or just started it and said, hey this is good, let's nominate it, and didn't realize that it totally dropped off in quality halfway through. OK. C.
God, I feel like I'e been reading this book for a year. This Booker nominee started off strong--about two families and their intertwined lives, in 1970s England, full of great small familiy dramas--but 300 pages in, it got really boring, skipping ahead years at a go and giving ridiculous plot lines to all these minor characters. I swear I found one two page section that described characters who aren't even in the rest of the book. And the bits that were interesting just got left by the wayside. A few of the characters were really lovable, but several were loathsome. Anyway, it was really slow and way too long (597 pages). I wonder if the Booker committee made it all the way through or just started it and said, hey this is good, let's nominate it, and didn't realize that it totally dropped off in quality halfway through. OK. C.
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