Edward Eager's Seven-Day Magic
I think this is my favorite Edward Eager book, besides the classic Half Magic (ok, I love ALL his books, except Magic by the Lake, whcih I didn't discover till high school and which isn't really very good). It's about a group of book-loving children who find a magic library book and have adventures! No wonder I loved this book when I was little.
Monday, August 17, 2009
2009 book 169
Harry Dolan's Bad Things Happen
Dolan (who got a master's at UNC) has written a very satisfying mystery involving a man with a mysterious past who gets enlisted as an editor at a crime fiction magazine, helps his boss bury a body, and then becomes a suspect when his boss is murdered. Much of the story centers on a police detective working the case, a nicely written single mom. Anyway, I enjoyed the ending and didn't guess all of it, whcih makes it a winner in my book! A-/B+.
Dolan (who got a master's at UNC) has written a very satisfying mystery involving a man with a mysterious past who gets enlisted as an editor at a crime fiction magazine, helps his boss bury a body, and then becomes a suspect when his boss is murdered. Much of the story centers on a police detective working the case, a nicely written single mom. Anyway, I enjoyed the ending and didn't guess all of it, whcih makes it a winner in my book! A-/B+.
ponyo!
Some friends and I went to go see Ponyo tonight, and it was SO CUTE!!!!! Seriously. So cute. It was definitely on the very light side of Miyazaki (despite some heavy-handed environmentalism and a kind of weird ending) and we giggled throughout. Also, there were some great previews--I cried AGAIN at the Where the Wild Things Are trailer (even though it was an extended version and not the bleaker one I'd seen before) and we all laughed hysterically at the Fantastic Mr. Fox trailer (that's my favorite Dahl book and I think I'm gonna go reread it right now).
For now, here's the Japanese version of the Ponyo end theme--the American version is surprisingly similar, and I urge you to stay in the theater until the terrible remix version kicks in. We also laughed hysterically all through that.
For now, here's the Japanese version of the Ponyo end theme--the American version is surprisingly similar, and I urge you to stay in the theater until the terrible remix version kicks in. We also laughed hysterically all through that.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
2009 book 168
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir's Last rituals : an Icelandic novel of secret symbols, medieval witchcraft, and modern murder
A fairly boring and anti-climatic mystery involving a grad student in Iceland studying witchcraft who gets brutally murdered. The protagonist is a lawyer who gets involved somehow. The story was ok, but wasn't fleshed out enough and there was no tension whatsoever, plus there was a very silly romantic subplot shoehorned in. Still, the lawyer's family life was interesting enough that I may read the second book in this series. B/B-.
A fairly boring and anti-climatic mystery involving a grad student in Iceland studying witchcraft who gets brutally murdered. The protagonist is a lawyer who gets involved somehow. The story was ok, but wasn't fleshed out enough and there was no tension whatsoever, plus there was a very silly romantic subplot shoehorned in. Still, the lawyer's family life was interesting enough that I may read the second book in this series. B/B-.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
middleman
Man, I know some of you guys read io9, so why didn't you TELL me about their post on the cast of the Middleman doing a reading of the unfilmed season finale???? I'm off to watch all 7 parts on Youtube!
Also, the DVD set would make an excellent present for all the partially unemployed Middleman fans in your life.
Also, the DVD set would make an excellent present for all the partially unemployed Middleman fans in your life.
Friday, August 14, 2009
2009 books 166 and 167
Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty
Set in the Victorian Era, this YA fantasy deals with a young girl who discovers a world of magic and power, and then gets sent to boarding school, where she and her friends go to magical realms and get in trouble and stuff. It was extremely predictable. B-.
Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife
Ok, I know I read this, like, a week ago, but it was still sitting on my nightstand, and the other night I wanted to look this one part up and ended up rereading a good chunk of it from the beginning, then last ngiht I finished my other book (see above) and wanted to read something else, but the cat was so cutely asleep across my legs that my choices were pretty limited to whatever was within reach. Namely, this. And I still stayed up way too late rereading it, proving once again my lack of reading-related self-control. I mean, seriously, I jsut read this, like, a week ago! I knew exactly what was going to happen next! And yet I was still compelled to finish it. And I still cried at various ending scenes.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to see the movie. I did have hopes it would be ok, but it's getting dreadful reviews.
Set in the Victorian Era, this YA fantasy deals with a young girl who discovers a world of magic and power, and then gets sent to boarding school, where she and her friends go to magical realms and get in trouble and stuff. It was extremely predictable. B-.
Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife
Ok, I know I read this, like, a week ago, but it was still sitting on my nightstand, and the other night I wanted to look this one part up and ended up rereading a good chunk of it from the beginning, then last ngiht I finished my other book (see above) and wanted to read something else, but the cat was so cutely asleep across my legs that my choices were pretty limited to whatever was within reach. Namely, this. And I still stayed up way too late rereading it, proving once again my lack of reading-related self-control. I mean, seriously, I jsut read this, like, a week ago! I knew exactly what was going to happen next! And yet I was still compelled to finish it. And I still cried at various ending scenes.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to see the movie. I did have hopes it would be ok, but it's getting dreadful reviews.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
links 'n' stuff
Here's a great NY Times piece on a new bio of Clarice Lispector. I read her stuff in some Jewish lit class--she's pretty incredible.
Rebranded matzah for the whole year!--no thanks.
Some good links following a blog post on the (admittedly subjective) best 100 comic book covers of all time.
Rebranded matzah for the whole year!--no thanks.
Some good links following a blog post on the (admittedly subjective) best 100 comic book covers of all time.
2009 book 165
Lev Grossman's The Magicians
I've been really excited to read this book, even though I remembered hated Grossman's last novel, but it's a great premise and is getting stellar reviews. It's about a teenage boy in Brooklyn, obsessed with a series of fantasy books (very similar to the Chronicles of Narnia), who gets recruited to take the entrance exam for an exclusive college of magic (a la Harry Potter). I think the main problem I had with this book was that most of the characters were really, really underdeveloped. Plus they were all the kind of assholes that New York literary men tend to write about. Still, the bits in the school of magic are pretty cool, and their post-graduation adventure was interesting enough, but again, was a bit underdeveloped. Basically, I wanted to love this book, and based on the description I should have, but it really needed more depth and a stronger ending. Still worth a read though. B+.
I've been really excited to read this book, even though I remembered hated Grossman's last novel, but it's a great premise and is getting stellar reviews. It's about a teenage boy in Brooklyn, obsessed with a series of fantasy books (very similar to the Chronicles of Narnia), who gets recruited to take the entrance exam for an exclusive college of magic (a la Harry Potter). I think the main problem I had with this book was that most of the characters were really, really underdeveloped. Plus they were all the kind of assholes that New York literary men tend to write about. Still, the bits in the school of magic are pretty cool, and their post-graduation adventure was interesting enough, but again, was a bit underdeveloped. Basically, I wanted to love this book, and based on the description I should have, but it really needed more depth and a stronger ending. Still worth a read though. B+.
2009 book 164
Thomas Cook's The Fate of Katherine Carr
A reporter, still broken from his young son's murder, and a dying little girl try to solve a twenty-year-old missing persons case by deciphering a story the missing woman left behind. I'm still not sure what to think about this, though was intrigued by the varying levels of narrative unreliability. B.
A reporter, still broken from his young son's murder, and a dying little girl try to solve a twenty-year-old missing persons case by deciphering a story the missing woman left behind. I'm still not sure what to think about this, though was intrigued by the varying levels of narrative unreliability. B.
Monday, August 10, 2009
2009 book 163
Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver
This book is clearly trying to do for werewolves what Twilight has done for vampires. Actually, Twilight did it for werewolves too, and better than this book. Anyway, a girl and a wolf-boy fall in love and there's all sorts of werewolf drama. B/B-.
There was a really good scene in a candy store, though, that made me wonder why the candy companies don't commandeer some summer holiday. Like candy season starts at Halloween, then goes right into Christmas-Valentine's Day-Easter, but then there's like a six-month gap that's begging to be filled with some sort of seasonal candy. I could totally see flag-shaped peeps for the 4th of July. Though come to think of it, August is kind of bereft of holidays. We should think of some really obscure one to commercialize like Valentine's Day was so long ago. Mainly b/c I like candy.
This book is clearly trying to do for werewolves what Twilight has done for vampires. Actually, Twilight did it for werewolves too, and better than this book. Anyway, a girl and a wolf-boy fall in love and there's all sorts of werewolf drama. B/B-.
There was a really good scene in a candy store, though, that made me wonder why the candy companies don't commandeer some summer holiday. Like candy season starts at Halloween, then goes right into Christmas-Valentine's Day-Easter, but then there's like a six-month gap that's begging to be filled with some sort of seasonal candy. I could totally see flag-shaped peeps for the 4th of July. Though come to think of it, August is kind of bereft of holidays. We should think of some really obscure one to commercialize like Valentine's Day was so long ago. Mainly b/c I like candy.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
2009 books 161 and 162
Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass
Yeah, these just don't hold up well to multiple readings. Luckily I have a stack of library books waiting to be picked up tomorrow!
Yeah, these just don't hold up well to multiple readings. Luckily I have a stack of library books waiting to be picked up tomorrow!
Friday, August 07, 2009
2009 book 160
Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass
I read most of this last night and figured I'd finish it today, even though my computer has been restored to me (praise God and Apple). I planned on re-reading all three books and then writing some big blog post (though really, actual intellectuals have covered them pretty in-depth) but I'm halfway through the second and just don't have the interest or energy. I mean, the first is still stellar, but the second feels really heavy-handed this go-round, and I remember the third being even more so and am not sure I'll bother reading it again this time. Anyway. Good times.
I read most of this last night and figured I'd finish it today, even though my computer has been restored to me (praise God and Apple). I planned on re-reading all three books and then writing some big blog post (though really, actual intellectuals have covered them pretty in-depth) but I'm halfway through the second and just don't have the interest or energy. I mean, the first is still stellar, but the second feels really heavy-handed this go-round, and I remember the third being even more so and am not sure I'll bother reading it again this time. Anyway. Good times.
2009 books 156, 157, 158, 159
Here are some books I read while longing for my laptop back!
Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking
Blah blah urban fantasy where a witch and a vampire team up to be bounty hunters or something, only mostly the witch is avoiding a hit her old boss put out on her. There were a few exciting moments but mostly this was boring and I won't be reading the sequels.
Alison Bechdel's Fun Home
This was slightly less awesome than I remembered.
Julia Alvarez's In the Time of the Butterflies
This also seemed less awesome than on previous rereads. Maybe it was just the cranky, computerless mood I was in.
Neil Gaiman's Brief Lives
This is my favorite Sandman volume, I think. Can't go wrong w/ a good road trip story.
I do apparently have some good library books waiting for me, but ran out and am rereading stuff till I can get back over there.
Also, twitter is being super annoying and not posting my updates. Still, it's really, really nice to have my laptop back. Please do let me know about any important internet things I may have missed from the last few days, since I'm mostly marking the 700ish items in Google Reader as read.
Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking
Blah blah urban fantasy where a witch and a vampire team up to be bounty hunters or something, only mostly the witch is avoiding a hit her old boss put out on her. There were a few exciting moments but mostly this was boring and I won't be reading the sequels.
Alison Bechdel's Fun Home
This was slightly less awesome than I remembered.
Julia Alvarez's In the Time of the Butterflies
This also seemed less awesome than on previous rereads. Maybe it was just the cranky, computerless mood I was in.
Neil Gaiman's Brief Lives
This is my favorite Sandman volume, I think. Can't go wrong w/ a good road trip story.
I do apparently have some good library books waiting for me, but ran out and am rereading stuff till I can get back over there.
Also, twitter is being super annoying and not posting my updates. Still, it's really, really nice to have my laptop back. Please do let me know about any important internet things I may have missed from the last few days, since I'm mostly marking the 700ish items in Google Reader as read.
DSC_0121
Sorry for the lack of posting--my poor baby computer died Tuesday night and I only just got it back from the amazing Apple geniuses. Book updates are coming as soon as I remember everything I read--in the meantime, here is a shot my dad took at Steelers' training camp!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
partially read
Margot Berwin's Hothouse Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire
I made it all the way to page 162 before deciding this book wasn't going to get any less ridiculous. I thought the beginning parts--where a woman working in advertising in NYC meets a mysterious man with a greenhouse in a laundromat, but then tells some other dude she's trying to bone about the laundromat's man secret stash of valuable plants and of course that guy steals them, so then she has to help replace them--were all just a convoluted way of getting the protagonist to go on a journey of self-discovery to Mexico. But things didn't get any better, narrative-wise, once she got there--the usual magical mystical natives were helping her on her quest, and she's mostly annoying and horny, and it's just not any fun.
I made it all the way to page 162 before deciding this book wasn't going to get any less ridiculous. I thought the beginning parts--where a woman working in advertising in NYC meets a mysterious man with a greenhouse in a laundromat, but then tells some other dude she's trying to bone about the laundromat's man secret stash of valuable plants and of course that guy steals them, so then she has to help replace them--were all just a convoluted way of getting the protagonist to go on a journey of self-discovery to Mexico. But things didn't get any better, narrative-wise, once she got there--the usual magical mystical natives were helping her on her quest, and she's mostly annoying and horny, and it's just not any fun.
Monday, August 03, 2009
2009 book 155
Stieg Larsson's The Girl who Played with Fire
The sequel to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has kind of a slow start as Larsson puts a lot of characters and situations into play--two people writing about sex trafficking get involved w/ the journalists from the first book, and jerkwads plot against the titular girl. But then things get pretty interesting and intense in ways I wasn't expecting. A pretty good follow-up to the first book, and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the third, but does suffer a bit from middle chapter syndrome (you know, how it's hard to judge the second work in a trilogy since it's setting things up for the finale but has to be interesting on its own too . . . or whatever). B+.
The sequel to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has kind of a slow start as Larsson puts a lot of characters and situations into play--two people writing about sex trafficking get involved w/ the journalists from the first book, and jerkwads plot against the titular girl. But then things get pretty interesting and intense in ways I wasn't expecting. A pretty good follow-up to the first book, and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the third, but does suffer a bit from middle chapter syndrome (you know, how it's hard to judge the second work in a trilogy since it's setting things up for the finale but has to be interesting on its own too . . . or whatever). B+.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
2009 book 154
Mary Yukari Waters' The Favorites
I suspect at least parts of this novel are autobiographical, as one of the main characters resembles Waters quite closely (physically, at least). Anyway, it starts off focusing on a young half-Japanese girl and her mother visiting family in Japan, then sort of expands to be about all the women in the family and their tangled relationships. I loved the first half but thought the last bits could have been fleshed out more. Still, great characters and descriptions. B+.
I suspect at least parts of this novel are autobiographical, as one of the main characters resembles Waters quite closely (physically, at least). Anyway, it starts off focusing on a young half-Japanese girl and her mother visiting family in Japan, then sort of expands to be about all the women in the family and their tangled relationships. I loved the first half but thought the last bits could have been fleshed out more. Still, great characters and descriptions. B+.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
2009 book 153
Jennifer McMahon's Dismantled
This is kind of an I Know What You Did Last Summer for the literary set, as the death of a friend ten years earlier--and its cover-up--comes back to haunt a married couple and their daughter. The resolution was pretty good, but I wasn't impressed with the rest of the story. B/B=.
This is kind of an I Know What You Did Last Summer for the literary set, as the death of a friend ten years earlier--and its cover-up--comes back to haunt a married couple and their daughter. The resolution was pretty good, but I wasn't impressed with the rest of the story. B/B=.
Monday, July 27, 2009
P7260115
Night five of xxmerge was a great wrap-up to the weekend (and I especially enjoyed sitting down by that point). Wye Oak rocked as always, Mark Eitzel did some amazing torch song-esque versions of his songs accompanied only by a piano, and She and Him has the crowds (mainly the young women of the crowds) dancing in the aisles. I was actually impressed by Zooey Deschanel live--she can belt it out for sure! We also enjoyed mocking her back-up vocalist's crazy prairie ensemble, but I don't have a picture of it as we weren't supposed to take pictures.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
P7250089
Night 4 of xxmerge was AMAZING! (And I say that having missed the first two bands due to my work schedule--apparently Telekinesis and Erectus Monotone both rocked.) Still, I got to see four GREAT bands perform--Ladybug Transistor, who are always fun live, M. Ward, who put on an incredible set w/ a full band (and an encore featuring Zooey Deschanel on the Beatles' "Birthday", which I did not get a picture of), a solo Destroyer set (check this awesome photo!) punctuated by drunk Christina shouts, and Imperial Teen, who were my favorite band when I was 16, and who played several songs from the album I almost wore out back then ("You're One" was like the third song in their set and when I realized they were playing it I almost started crying, but twittered about it instead). Also they had adorable color-coordinated clothes. An amazing end to the Cat's Cradle shows, and tongiht we get to rock out w/ Wye Oak (and American Music Club and She & Him of course!).
Plus the show ended early enough for a trip to OCSC, where I discovered my new staple drink (Firefly and Coke) and then to Time Out for cheddar biscuits and boxes of bones. Awesome.
Plus the show ended early enough for a trip to OCSC, where I discovered my new staple drink (Firefly and Coke) and then to Time Out for cheddar biscuits and boxes of bones. Awesome.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
P7240078
Night three of xxmerge was AMAZING. It started off strong with one of my all-time favorite bands, the Essex Green, playing several of my all-time favorite songs. (We all jumped and danced quite enthusiastically b/c they are awesome!) Then Spent came on (Jon Wurster hilariously claimed they hadn't played live in 22 years, whcih people totally bought. Do the math, Merge has only been around for twenty! heh) and they were totally great live.
THEN! Lambchop came out! And performed one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen! They brought the funk. They played some jamz--with a Z! Two dudes were overwhelmed with the awesome and danced frantically right next to us! They covered "Once in a Lifetime" in the most amazing way and Kurt Wagner even stood up. The crowd was totally into it, too. Just awesome.
Polvo and Pipe were up next, but it was hard to follow such a great set (Though Pipe is of course great to watch live--beer cans were flying) and Spoon headlined, though were beset by technical problems (I left during their set since I have work today).
It will be hard to top that show--though by process of elimination we have figured out which bands have to play tonight--and it should be pretty sweet.
THEN! Lambchop came out! And performed one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen! They brought the funk. They played some jamz--with a Z! Two dudes were overwhelmed with the awesome and danced frantically right next to us! They covered "Once in a Lifetime" in the most amazing way and Kurt Wagner even stood up. The crowd was totally into it, too. Just awesome.
Polvo and Pipe were up next, but it was hard to follow such a great set (Though Pipe is of course great to watch live--beer cans were flying) and Spoon headlined, though were beset by technical problems (I left during their set since I have work today).
It will be hard to top that show--though by process of elimination we have figured out which bands have to play tonight--and it should be pretty sweet.
Friday, July 24, 2009
P7230065
I probably should stop taking photos of the xxmerge bands--I can't seem to get many good ones from my vantage point (but if I go closer, I can't see anything, so it's worth it!). Anyway, here's a shot of Broken West, one of my Merge faves! Also playing last ngiht: Richard Buckner, Guv'ner, Versus, 3Ds, and Superchunk! Old school Merge ngiht FTW!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
P7220098
xxmerge night one was amazing! Things started off w/ Pure, who I'd never even heard of, but quickly picked back up with a Lou Barlow-Oakley Hall-Clientele-Magnetiic Fields-Rosebuds lineup (I left before Conor Oberst came on. I am not a fan of him or his wacky hat). Anywya, it was a great show. Lou Barlow is still one of the only dudes with a guitar who can make me pay attention, Oakley Hall has such awesome energy live, the Clientele and Magnetic Fields played all their hits (though the latter was attacked by a huge flying bug of some sort--I kept hoping someone taped that for youtube!). And y'all know I love the Rosebuds. They're great live b/c instead of just playing stuff from whatever their latest album is, they play the songs that are best to dance to! And closed things off with an audience singalong to "Nice Fox"--such a great end to the evening.
This photo is of Ivan Rosebud about to rock out. Excuse the poor quality of my photos; I was too busy enjoying myself to take the time to get good photos too! Also excuse the photo below this--I was testing the flickr to twitter thing and apparently sent it to my blog instead. You can see that my cameraphone is kind of sub-par anyway.
Can't wait for tonight!
This photo is of Ivan Rosebud about to rock out. Excuse the poor quality of my photos; I was too busy enjoying myself to take the time to get good photos too! Also excuse the photo below this--I was testing the flickr to twitter thing and apparently sent it to my blog instead. You can see that my cameraphone is kind of sub-par anyway.
Can't wait for tonight!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
2009 book 152
Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife
At this stage in my life, I should honestly know better than to read a good book in bed, b/c I'll keep on reading b/c I HAVE to know what happens--even when I already know what happens b/c I've read it before. (I keep seeing the trailers for the movie and was compelled to reread the book. The trailers are pretty great and maybe Eric Bana won't be a terrible fit for the role after all.) So yeah, it's past my bedtime and I have work tomorrow and xxmerge starts tomorrow and I'll be a zombie! But I really like this book, so it's ok.
At this stage in my life, I should honestly know better than to read a good book in bed, b/c I'll keep on reading b/c I HAVE to know what happens--even when I already know what happens b/c I've read it before. (I keep seeing the trailers for the movie and was compelled to reread the book. The trailers are pretty great and maybe Eric Bana won't be a terrible fit for the role after all.) So yeah, it's past my bedtime and I have work tomorrow and xxmerge starts tomorrow and I'll be a zombie! But I really like this book, so it's ok.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
2009 book 151
Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden
I loved Morton's The House at Riverton and was psyched to see she had another book out--and it didn't disappoint. It's similar to her first one, with people unraveling a mystery from the past, only it flashes back and forth in time a bit more. Anyway, it's about a woman whose grandmother dies, and she takes on the task of unraveling her grandmother's identity after discovering she was shipped alone from England to Australia at the age of four with no papers or clue as to her identity. The flashbacks encompass the grandmother's search, the granddaughter's, and the initial events to great effect, and the story is totally riveting. And yes, there is a reference to The Secret Garden. A.
I loved Morton's The House at Riverton and was psyched to see she had another book out--and it didn't disappoint. It's similar to her first one, with people unraveling a mystery from the past, only it flashes back and forth in time a bit more. Anyway, it's about a woman whose grandmother dies, and she takes on the task of unraveling her grandmother's identity after discovering she was shipped alone from England to Australia at the age of four with no papers or clue as to her identity. The flashbacks encompass the grandmother's search, the granddaughter's, and the initial events to great effect, and the story is totally riveting. And yes, there is a reference to The Secret Garden. A.
Monday, July 20, 2009
2009 book 150
Jennifer Brown's Hate List
I somehow got an ARC of this in the mail--thanks, folks at Little, Brown!--and had read a few reviews, all positive, and it seemed a fitting read for a rainy afternoon. It centers on a teenage girl who is returning to high school following a school shooting--where her boyfriend was the shooter. She and her classmates have to come to terms with the shooting and her part in it, which Brown manages to make believable. I had some mixed feelings about the end, but will admit to getting teary. A-/B+.
I somehow got an ARC of this in the mail--thanks, folks at Little, Brown!--and had read a few reviews, all positive, and it seemed a fitting read for a rainy afternoon. It centers on a teenage girl who is returning to high school following a school shooting--where her boyfriend was the shooter. She and her classmates have to come to terms with the shooting and her part in it, which Brown manages to make believable. I had some mixed feelings about the end, but will admit to getting teary. A-/B+.
catching fire
The first chapter is available online! (Scroll down a bit.) I'm off to read it right now! Seriously, September 1st is too far away. The wait to read this is making me nuts!
2009 book 149
Kathleen George's The Odds
It's interesting that the words "a mystery" appear right on the front cover of this book when it's not a mystery at all (unless wondering how soon the police officers will solve the case counts as a mystery, as the reader is given all other information). Anyway, George's Pittsburgh cops are back, trying to solve a murder that's linked to a major narcotics ring. Meanwhile, a kind man with ties to the drug ring gets involved with four local children living on their own (and they're GREAT characters). But yeah, not actually a mystery, though still a fairly compelling read. B+.
It's interesting that the words "a mystery" appear right on the front cover of this book when it's not a mystery at all (unless wondering how soon the police officers will solve the case counts as a mystery, as the reader is given all other information). Anyway, George's Pittsburgh cops are back, trying to solve a murder that's linked to a major narcotics ring. Meanwhile, a kind man with ties to the drug ring gets involved with four local children living on their own (and they're GREAT characters). But yeah, not actually a mystery, though still a fairly compelling read. B+.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
2009 book 148; hp6
Hyatt Bass' The Embers
A fairly run-of-the-mill book about a family with a tragic past and the grown-up daughter on the verge of marriage. Fairly boring. B/B-.
I also saw the HP6 movie today, and had mixed feelings about it. I'm not entirely a purist for the text--I understand the need for changes to get the story to flow in a short amount of time--but some of the changes they made just baffle me. The visuals were amazing, the teen romance stuff was great, but the backstory was sorely lacking and there wasn't a lot of intensity. It felt pretty choppy, actually. Everyone else I was with liked it, so take my negativity with some grains of salt. :)
A fairly run-of-the-mill book about a family with a tragic past and the grown-up daughter on the verge of marriage. Fairly boring. B/B-.
I also saw the HP6 movie today, and had mixed feelings about it. I'm not entirely a purist for the text--I understand the need for changes to get the story to flow in a short amount of time--but some of the changes they made just baffle me. The visuals were amazing, the teen romance stuff was great, but the backstory was sorely lacking and there wasn't a lot of intensity. It felt pretty choppy, actually. Everyone else I was with liked it, so take my negativity with some grains of salt. :)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
2009 book 147
Junot Diaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Haven't gotten much reading done--it's family time!--but did reread this book, which is still GREAT.
Haven't gotten much reading done--it's family time!--but did reread this book, which is still GREAT.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
2009 book 146
Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
I enjoyed Shanghai Girls enough to see out Snow Flower, which has been a popular book group book for ages. It's about two little girls in 1800s China who are contracted to be lifelong friends. It starts off strong and See's details are great--especially in the footbinding scenes--but gets pretty boring and lame 3/4 of the way in, despite burgeoning revolution. B.
I enjoyed Shanghai Girls enough to see out Snow Flower, which has been a popular book group book for ages. It's about two little girls in 1800s China who are contracted to be lifelong friends. It starts off strong and See's details are great--especially in the footbinding scenes--but gets pretty boring and lame 3/4 of the way in, despite burgeoning revolution. B.
dumbledore
Suddenly, Michael Gambon's terrible characterization of Dumbledore makes sense--he's never read the books! Ridiculous.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
2009 book 145
Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games
Just felt like re-reading this awesome YA dystopian fantasy book--the sequel comes out this fall, though I'm hoping to somehow score an ARC before then. Anyway, the story totally holds up and sucked me in all over again. Can't go wrong with a televised battled to the death with a little romance thrown in.
Just felt like re-reading this awesome YA dystopian fantasy book--the sequel comes out this fall, though I'm hoping to somehow score an ARC before then. Anyway, the story totally holds up and sucked me in all over again. Can't go wrong with a televised battled to the death with a little romance thrown in.
vote for best craig musical puppet number!
The Huffington Post is running a poll to see which is the best musical puppet number that Craig Ferguson has done--there are a few clips I've never seen and they're so worth watching ("Lonely Goatherd"!!).
Friday, July 10, 2009
2009 book 144
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Well, if I was re-reading the 6th one, it seemed silly to leave things hanging and not re-read the 7th . . .
Well, if I was re-reading the 6th one, it seemed silly to leave things hanging and not re-read the 7th . . .
Thursday, July 09, 2009
2009 book 143
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Christina and I decided to both re-read this before the movie comes out next week. I have to say, I am not looking forward to watching Michael Gambon over-emote the speeches about Love and the potion scene. All the teen romance should be fun though.
Christina and I decided to both re-read this before the movie comes out next week. I have to say, I am not looking forward to watching Michael Gambon over-emote the speeches about Love and the potion scene. All the teen romance should be fun though.
more craig ferguson
I'm starting to feel like it's my duty to post Craig Ferguson's puppet-laden dance/lipsynch monologues. This one was pretty good, though I didn't actually know the song (embarrassing, I know!).
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
partially read
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain
I'm giving up this horror novel at 129 pages. It started off strong, as people react to an airplane that, just after landing, suddenly goes dark, and everyone on board is found dead. Great atmosphere, not a surprise from del Toro. But it's just boring after a while as people try and figure out what could have caused this (the book jacket reveals that it's vampires of some sort, which really ruins the narrative tension). Even a Holocaust survivor armed for battle against evil can't make things more interesting (which is a mark of how quickly things get boring, despite the choppy chapters that feel like quick scene cuts). I don't love horror stories to begin with, but this probably should have just been a movie.
I'm giving up this horror novel at 129 pages. It started off strong, as people react to an airplane that, just after landing, suddenly goes dark, and everyone on board is found dead. Great atmosphere, not a surprise from del Toro. But it's just boring after a while as people try and figure out what could have caused this (the book jacket reveals that it's vampires of some sort, which really ruins the narrative tension). Even a Holocaust survivor armed for battle against evil can't make things more interesting (which is a mark of how quickly things get boring, despite the choppy chapters that feel like quick scene cuts). I don't love horror stories to begin with, but this probably should have just been a movie.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
2009 book 142
Vestal McIntyre's Lake Overturn
Kind of a sweeping epic centered in Idaho in the 1980s, this novel manages to bring a wide variety of characters to vivid life, from two single moms in a trailer park to a junior high boy struggling with his sexuality to his older brother, a Mexican raised by rich white foster parents and torn between both worlds to a pair of high school girls desperate to flee their small town. Plus more! The characters are definitely the highlight here, as most of the plot is small-town-family stuff, and things do take a turn for the depressing at the end. The title refers to a phenomenon where a lake gives off CO2 gas and kills people, the subject of s science project by two of the characters. A-/B+.
Kind of a sweeping epic centered in Idaho in the 1980s, this novel manages to bring a wide variety of characters to vivid life, from two single moms in a trailer park to a junior high boy struggling with his sexuality to his older brother, a Mexican raised by rich white foster parents and torn between both worlds to a pair of high school girls desperate to flee their small town. Plus more! The characters are definitely the highlight here, as most of the plot is small-town-family stuff, and things do take a turn for the depressing at the end. The title refers to a phenomenon where a lake gives off CO2 gas and kills people, the subject of s science project by two of the characters. A-/B+.
Monday, July 06, 2009
2009 book 141
Elina Hirvonen's When I Forgot
Translated from the Finnish, this vaguely stream-of-consciousness novel deals with a young woman reading a book in a cafe and reflecting on her troubled family and her American boyfriend, who also has a troubled family, on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003. I had no strong feelings about it either way. B.
Translated from the Finnish, this vaguely stream-of-consciousness novel deals with a young woman reading a book in a cafe and reflecting on her troubled family and her American boyfriend, who also has a troubled family, on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003. I had no strong feelings about it either way. B.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
2009 book 140
Jane Hamilton's Laura Rider's Masterpiece
This was a ridiculous and depressing novel about a woman with literary aspirations who engineers an affair between her husband and a local radio personality. D.
This was a ridiculous and depressing novel about a woman with literary aspirations who engineers an affair between her husband and a local radio personality. D.
2009 book 139
Kate Walbert's A Short History of Women
I remembered enjoying Walbert's previous two novels, so figured I'd give this one a shot even though it was getting middling reviews. But ugh, it was not very good. It's the story of five generations of women (who take turns narrating chapters) and what happens to them after the first decides to starve to death in the name of suffrage. I kept waiting for there to be a larger point, or a twist, or anything of interest, but it was mostly five women whining a lot. B-.
I remembered enjoying Walbert's previous two novels, so figured I'd give this one a shot even though it was getting middling reviews. But ugh, it was not very good. It's the story of five generations of women (who take turns narrating chapters) and what happens to them after the first decides to starve to death in the name of suffrage. I kept waiting for there to be a larger point, or a twist, or anything of interest, but it was mostly five women whining a lot. B-.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
2009 book 138 1/2
The Merge Records Companion: A Visual Discography of the First Twenty Years
What a nice surprise to find this in my mailbox (with volumes 7 and 8 of the Score! box set celebrating Merge's 20th anniversary). This has very little text, so it's hard to count as a full book, but I certainly spent plenty of time perusing it! The awesome folk at Merge had band members, Merge employees, family, and friends pose with each and every album Merge has released in its 20 years--of course it was fun to flip through the first ten years of Merge album covers and marvel at the art, but the last ten are the ones that got to me! Those were the ones that I've played on WXDU, and bought and loved (sometimes more than once--I own three copies of Essex Green's Cannibal Sea, b/c I kept forgetting I owned it already and wanted them to have my money anyway), and even reviewed occasionally. I am awash in nostalgia! Anyway, the visual discography is a really cool idea, this is a great presentation, and I'm proud to know people whose hands appear here! It will be on sale later this year, so keep an eye out for it if you're not a Score! subscriber.
What a nice surprise to find this in my mailbox (with volumes 7 and 8 of the Score! box set celebrating Merge's 20th anniversary). This has very little text, so it's hard to count as a full book, but I certainly spent plenty of time perusing it! The awesome folk at Merge had band members, Merge employees, family, and friends pose with each and every album Merge has released in its 20 years--of course it was fun to flip through the first ten years of Merge album covers and marvel at the art, but the last ten are the ones that got to me! Those were the ones that I've played on WXDU, and bought and loved (sometimes more than once--I own three copies of Essex Green's Cannibal Sea, b/c I kept forgetting I owned it already and wanted them to have my money anyway), and even reviewed occasionally. I am awash in nostalgia! Anyway, the visual discography is a really cool idea, this is a great presentation, and I'm proud to know people whose hands appear here! It will be on sale later this year, so keep an eye out for it if you're not a Score! subscriber.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2009 book 138
Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride
It's a measure of what a reliably good writer Dessen is that I was totally into this book, even though it has a lot of bikes in it (I have a longstanding antipathy toward bikes). Anyway, one of her very likable protagonists spends the summer before college with her dad, stepmom, and new baby sister and learns lessons about family and friendship and of course meets a troubled but sweet love interest. Only it's all really good and steers away from cliches, b/c it's Dessen. A.
It's a measure of what a reliably good writer Dessen is that I was totally into this book, even though it has a lot of bikes in it (I have a longstanding antipathy toward bikes). Anyway, one of her very likable protagonists spends the summer before college with her dad, stepmom, and new baby sister and learns lessons about family and friendship and of course meets a troubled but sweet love interest. Only it's all really good and steers away from cliches, b/c it's Dessen. A.
Monday, June 29, 2009
2009 book 137
J. Courtney Sullivan's Commencement
The jacket copy doesn't do this book justice--four totally different girls, one a sweet Southerner, one a radical feminist, one a lapsed Catholic, one recovering from her mother's recent death all meet at Smith and become totally awesome friends, and now they're all getting together four years later for one's wedding! I mean, it sounds like some cheesy Julia Roberts movie. Luckily, that's just the bare bones of the story, and there's so much more to these characters and their lives in college and afterward. I did have slightly mixed feelings about the ending, but this was a really, really great read. And I would not be at all surprised to see this made into a movie--ooh, guys, read this book and we can have imaginary casting sessions in the comments!--but I hope it would do right by the novel and not be a totally cheesefest. Anyway. A/A-.
The jacket copy doesn't do this book justice--four totally different girls, one a sweet Southerner, one a radical feminist, one a lapsed Catholic, one recovering from her mother's recent death all meet at Smith and become totally awesome friends, and now they're all getting together four years later for one's wedding! I mean, it sounds like some cheesy Julia Roberts movie. Luckily, that's just the bare bones of the story, and there's so much more to these characters and their lives in college and afterward. I did have slightly mixed feelings about the ending, but this was a really, really great read. And I would not be at all surprised to see this made into a movie--ooh, guys, read this book and we can have imaginary casting sessions in the comments!--but I hope it would do right by the novel and not be a totally cheesefest. Anyway. A/A-.
2009 book 136
Peter Abrahams' Reality Check
A perfectly serviceable YA mystery involving a boy whose girlfriend goes off to boarding school in Vermont and then disappears. B.
A perfectly serviceable YA mystery involving a boy whose girlfriend goes off to boarding school in Vermont and then disappears. B.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
2009 book 135
Ian Sansom's The Book Stops Here
I enjoyed the first Mobile Library Mystery, a totally light book about a Jewish librarian in the middle of nowhere, Ireland. This is the third book in the series (somehow I missed the second), but it's nowhere near as fun as the first. For one thing, the mystery barely exists--the library van is stolen and the librarian and his friend have to track it down, which is just not interesting at all--and for another, the main character is really whiny. There's a cute subplot where his friend and his mom kind of like each other, but otherwise this book wasn't worth reading at all. C-.
I'm picking up some library books tomorrow, and hoping fervently that one will be a good read!
I enjoyed the first Mobile Library Mystery, a totally light book about a Jewish librarian in the middle of nowhere, Ireland. This is the third book in the series (somehow I missed the second), but it's nowhere near as fun as the first. For one thing, the mystery barely exists--the library van is stolen and the librarian and his friend have to track it down, which is just not interesting at all--and for another, the main character is really whiny. There's a cute subplot where his friend and his mom kind of like each other, but otherwise this book wasn't worth reading at all. C-.
I'm picking up some library books tomorrow, and hoping fervently that one will be a good read!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
2009 book 134
Jennifer Steinhauer and Jessica Hendra's Beverly Hills Adjacent
What, another book about an LA academic with a husband in showbiz? I was hoping it would be fluffier and more fun than the last one I read. I guess it was fluffier, but this story of a UCLA professor and her struggling academic husband was really unlikable. All of the characters were total jerks! It really annoyed me. I'm not sure why I kept reading, except to see what these assholes would do next. And of course they got a totally ridiculous ending to boot. C-.
What, another book about an LA academic with a husband in showbiz? I was hoping it would be fluffier and more fun than the last one I read. I guess it was fluffier, but this story of a UCLA professor and her struggling academic husband was really unlikable. All of the characters were total jerks! It really annoyed me. I'm not sure why I kept reading, except to see what these assholes would do next. And of course they got a totally ridiculous ending to boot. C-.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
2009 book 133
Margaret Leroy's Yes, My Darling Daughter
This was one of the books from Oprah's summer reading lists--it's really only a mystery in the most tenuous sense. It centers on a young single mother with a troubled little daughter; eventually, the mother comes to think her child is somebody's reincarnation and turns to an unusual psychology professor for help. From there it becomes much more predictable, but is still a fairly satisfying story. B+.
This was one of the books from Oprah's summer reading lists--it's really only a mystery in the most tenuous sense. It centers on a young single mother with a troubled little daughter; eventually, the mother comes to think her child is somebody's reincarnation and turns to an unusual psychology professor for help. From there it becomes much more predictable, but is still a fairly satisfying story. B+.
YAY!
The new Miyazaki movie comes out in August!! It looks SO CUTE.
I know I was disappointed in his last movie (Howl's Moving Castle), but only b/c I didn't think it did justice to the book--I still think Miyazaki's cartoons are totally great. This one is apparently geared toward a younger audience, which is fine with me!
I know I was disappointed in his last movie (Howl's Moving Castle), but only b/c I didn't think it did justice to the book--I still think Miyazaki's cartoons are totally great. This one is apparently geared toward a younger audience, which is fine with me!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
2009 book 132
Nina Kiriki Hoffman's Fall of Light
Oh my god, was this book terrible. It starts off with an interesting concept--a makeup artist with magical powers is in love with the actor she works on, only he gets possessed by some local magical thing--but it just got worse and worse as it went on, until the totally ridiculous and anti-climactic ending. D.
Oh my god, was this book terrible. It starts off with an interesting concept--a makeup artist with magical powers is in love with the actor she works on, only he gets possessed by some local magical thing--but it just got worse and worse as it went on, until the totally ridiculous and anti-climactic ending. D.
Monday, June 22, 2009
stuff!
Edith Wharton rules!
Conversely, Holden Caulfield is lame. (I've never liked him.)
I'm sure you all have seen Buffy vs Edward Cullen, but it's hilarious and awesome.
I'm totally into this Tooth Fairy kit.
Seriously, why are they remaking Red Dawn? That movie is terrible. I mean, sure, it's fun to yell "WOLVERINES!!!!!!" but really, is that enough to base a movie on?
Art Spiegelman has a comic in the Washington Post about the St Louis, a famous ship full of Jewish refugees that the US refused to let enter the country and sent back to Europe just in time for the Holocaust. Nice one, America!
Conversely, Holden Caulfield is lame. (I've never liked him.)
I'm sure you all have seen Buffy vs Edward Cullen, but it's hilarious and awesome.
I'm totally into this Tooth Fairy kit.
Seriously, why are they remaking Red Dawn? That movie is terrible. I mean, sure, it's fun to yell "WOLVERINES!!!!!!" but really, is that enough to base a movie on?
Art Spiegelman has a comic in the Washington Post about the St Louis, a famous ship full of Jewish refugees that the US refused to let enter the country and sent back to Europe just in time for the Holocaust. Nice one, America!
2009 book 131
Sandra Dallas' Prayers for Sale
I've read and enjoyed a couple of Dallas' earlier novels (Tallgrass and Buster Midnight's Cafe) and was glad to see she had a new one out. Unfortunately, it veers way too much into heartwarming/women's fiction territory for my taste, as an elderly woman in 1930s Colorado tells her life story to the new young housewife in town. The ending was supposed to be surprising but I mostly thought it was completely unbelievable. B-.
I've read and enjoyed a couple of Dallas' earlier novels (Tallgrass and Buster Midnight's Cafe) and was glad to see she had a new one out. Unfortunately, it veers way too much into heartwarming/women's fiction territory for my taste, as an elderly woman in 1930s Colorado tells her life story to the new young housewife in town. The ending was supposed to be surprising but I mostly thought it was completely unbelievable. B-.
Friday, June 19, 2009
2009 book 130
Alice Hoffman's The Story Sisters
This may be Hoffman's best novel to date. Of course, I've absolutely hated every other Hoffman book I've read, so that's not saying much! I did mostly like it--it's about three sisters and their secret language and secret made-up land and how they grow up and are damaged and whatnot. I do kind of hate that Hoffman made the characters have the last name Story, so the title is literal instead of metaphorical--it's just cheesy. Otherwise a pretty good read. B+.
This may be Hoffman's best novel to date. Of course, I've absolutely hated every other Hoffman book I've read, so that's not saying much! I did mostly like it--it's about three sisters and their secret language and secret made-up land and how they grow up and are damaged and whatnot. I do kind of hate that Hoffman made the characters have the last name Story, so the title is literal instead of metaphorical--it's just cheesy. Otherwise a pretty good read. B+.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
2009 book 129
Martin Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police
This was a fairly light read, considering it involves a murder of an elderly man in a small town in France and brings up all sorts of racial tensions for the locals. I loved the protagonist, the titular Bruno, and his interactions with his fellow townspeople. Also, all their food sounded delicious! And there was even a little romance and historical research. The murder's wrap-up was really satisfying, to boot. A.
This was a fairly light read, considering it involves a murder of an elderly man in a small town in France and brings up all sorts of racial tensions for the locals. I loved the protagonist, the titular Bruno, and his interactions with his fellow townspeople. Also, all their food sounded delicious! And there was even a little romance and historical research. The murder's wrap-up was really satisfying, to boot. A.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
2009 book 128
Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger
Oh my gosh, this book CREEPED ME OUT. I'm so glad I read it while it was still light out, or I'd be too scared to sleep! The story takes place in England in the 1940s in a big fancy old house that's falling apart at the seams, centering on a doctor in town and his increasing involvement with the house's residents and their troubles, which may or may not include being haunted. Waters has quite a way with the atmosphere and the characters--like I said, I was seriously creeped out. A.
Oh my gosh, this book CREEPED ME OUT. I'm so glad I read it while it was still light out, or I'd be too scared to sleep! The story takes place in England in the 1940s in a big fancy old house that's falling apart at the seams, centering on a doctor in town and his increasing involvement with the house's residents and their troubles, which may or may not include being haunted. Waters has quite a way with the atmosphere and the characters--like I said, I was seriously creeped out. A.
Monday, June 15, 2009
2009 book 128
China Mieville's The City and the City
I've been hanging out in an airport most of the day, alternately reading this book and enjoying free wifi. Good times. Anyway, as far as I know (please correct me if I'm wron), Mieville is one of the few authors to marry fantasy with mystery (unless alternate worlds like Chabon's Yiddish Policemen's Union count). As in, this is a murder mystery set in the world of fantasy. I actually think the world is Europe, since there are references to real-word places, but the titular cities are definitely the stuff of fantasy--two cities, with distinct identities and cultures, in the same exact places, overlapping. It's a really cool concept. The mystery is unfortunately not quite as compelling, but it was still an entertaining and thought-provoking read, and made being stuck in an airport not bad at all. A-/B+.
I've been hanging out in an airport most of the day, alternately reading this book and enjoying free wifi. Good times. Anyway, as far as I know (please correct me if I'm wron), Mieville is one of the few authors to marry fantasy with mystery (unless alternate worlds like Chabon's Yiddish Policemen's Union count). As in, this is a murder mystery set in the world of fantasy. I actually think the world is Europe, since there are references to real-word places, but the titular cities are definitely the stuff of fantasy--two cities, with distinct identities and cultures, in the same exact places, overlapping. It's a really cool concept. The mystery is unfortunately not quite as compelling, but it was still an entertaining and thought-provoking read, and made being stuck in an airport not bad at all. A-/B+.
summer reading
Oprah has a pretty extensive summer reading list going on, with lots of sub-lists (like "unputdownable mysteries"). I've enjoyed the ones I've read on her lists, so there you go. (I'm not one to dis Oprah's taste in literature.)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2009 book 127
Chandler Burr's You or Someone Like You
My problem with this book stems from totally misinterpreting what it was about. It was described as being about the wife of a Hollywood producer who gets talked into starting a book group, and all of the showbiz elites start to join. So, of course I thought it would be literary, but in a fluffy way. That's not at all what Burr--who is the NY Times' scent critic, whatever that means--is doing with this story, though. It's a very stream-of-consciousness look at the producer's wife and her relationship with her husband, which is shaken badly after their teenage son has a weird experience in Israel (which apparently did happen to Burr). Then everyone has breakdowns. There's hardly any actual book discussion in here, whcih was a bit disappointing to me, considering that at least half the story does take place at book group. Also (and this is a minor peeve), everyone's dialogue is in quotation marks except for the protagonist's, so it's sometimes confusing to know what she's saying and what she's just thinking. I'm sure there's some high literary reason for this, but that's just not the book I was looking to read. B/B+.
My problem with this book stems from totally misinterpreting what it was about. It was described as being about the wife of a Hollywood producer who gets talked into starting a book group, and all of the showbiz elites start to join. So, of course I thought it would be literary, but in a fluffy way. That's not at all what Burr--who is the NY Times' scent critic, whatever that means--is doing with this story, though. It's a very stream-of-consciousness look at the producer's wife and her relationship with her husband, which is shaken badly after their teenage son has a weird experience in Israel (which apparently did happen to Burr). Then everyone has breakdowns. There's hardly any actual book discussion in here, whcih was a bit disappointing to me, considering that at least half the story does take place at book group. Also (and this is a minor peeve), everyone's dialogue is in quotation marks except for the protagonist's, so it's sometimes confusing to know what she's saying and what she's just thinking. I'm sure there's some high literary reason for this, but that's just not the book I was looking to read. B/B+.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
2009 book 126
Katherine Howe's The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
Howe, a grad student in early American history who is the descendant of two of the accused witches of Salem, has written a novel about a grad student in early American history who is the descendant of one of the other Salem witches (I think it's ok to say that, though the protagonist doesn't figure it out till the very end, since it's super-obvious to the reader), who actually did do magic. Anyway, I think I would have really enjoyed this story (despite its very weird and lame villain and its too-good-to-be-true love interest), b/c you know I like stories involving historical research, except that there was all of this weird anti-librarian sentiment that distracted me. Like almost every librarian/archivist is rude, grumpy, and unhelpful. And the protagonist is able to browse the stacks of Harvard's special collections, and even TAKE 300-YEAR-OLD BOOKS HOME. WTF! Is Howe really a grad student? If so, she doesn't use the library much. I can't believe Harvard lets people just casually peruse delicate books like that. If so, they're a pretty crappy institution.
So you can see why I had trouble with this book. I think otherwise it was en entertaining beach read type of story. B.
Howe, a grad student in early American history who is the descendant of two of the accused witches of Salem, has written a novel about a grad student in early American history who is the descendant of one of the other Salem witches (I think it's ok to say that, though the protagonist doesn't figure it out till the very end, since it's super-obvious to the reader), who actually did do magic. Anyway, I think I would have really enjoyed this story (despite its very weird and lame villain and its too-good-to-be-true love interest), b/c you know I like stories involving historical research, except that there was all of this weird anti-librarian sentiment that distracted me. Like almost every librarian/archivist is rude, grumpy, and unhelpful. And the protagonist is able to browse the stacks of Harvard's special collections, and even TAKE 300-YEAR-OLD BOOKS HOME. WTF! Is Howe really a grad student? If so, she doesn't use the library much. I can't believe Harvard lets people just casually peruse delicate books like that. If so, they're a pretty crappy institution.
So you can see why I had trouble with this book. I think otherwise it was en entertaining beach read type of story. B.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
2009 book 125
Lisa See's Shanghai Girls
Does anyone know why Lisa See writes so many novels about China? It just seems odd, since she's super white. Does she have some sory of degree or background related to China? Or is she just an Orientalist? Not that it matters, b/c this was still a pretty great novel, about two sisters in pre-war China who, after their father loses all their money gambling, arranges to marry them off to two men in America. Harrowing adventures and immigrant adjustments ensue in a generally moving manner. I really liked all the characters (though the protagonist was totally oblivious to things that were obvious to the reader), but did think things ended a bit abruptly. A-/B+.
Does anyone know why Lisa See writes so many novels about China? It just seems odd, since she's super white. Does she have some sory of degree or background related to China? Or is she just an Orientalist? Not that it matters, b/c this was still a pretty great novel, about two sisters in pre-war China who, after their father loses all their money gambling, arranges to marry them off to two men in America. Harrowing adventures and immigrant adjustments ensue in a generally moving manner. I really liked all the characters (though the protagonist was totally oblivious to things that were obvious to the reader), but did think things ended a bit abruptly. A-/B+.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
2009 book 124
Sara Shepard's Unbelievable
The 4th Pretty Little Liars book did clear up most of the plots/mysteries in a fairly entertaining way--lots of red herrings, a little predictability, and more or less satisfying wrap-ups. But my curiosity has been sated and I won't be reading the other books in the series.
The 4th Pretty Little Liars book did clear up most of the plots/mysteries in a fairly entertaining way--lots of red herrings, a little predictability, and more or less satisfying wrap-ups. But my curiosity has been sated and I won't be reading the other books in the series.
links links and more links
This clip is almost ten minutes long but so worth watching--Mark-Paul Gosselaar in character as Zack Morris on Jimmy Fallon. Man, did that bring me back.
The Muppet Show comic book is pretty awesome. There are three issues out so far, plus a special Robin Hood issue.
I'm excited that a panel of teens gave Blonde Roots an alternative Orange prize. I reviewed it for LJ and really enjoyed it.
Apparently Nextbook is now Tablet Magazine. I just noticed I haven't gotten any Nextbook content through Google Reader since September--sad that I never realized, or indicative of their lack of good content before the change? Or do I just assume everything I'm interested in will come via RSS?
The Muppet Show comic book is pretty awesome. There are three issues out so far, plus a special Robin Hood issue.
I'm excited that a panel of teens gave Blonde Roots an alternative Orange prize. I reviewed it for LJ and really enjoyed it.
Apparently Nextbook is now Tablet Magazine. I just noticed I haven't gotten any Nextbook content through Google Reader since September--sad that I never realized, or indicative of their lack of good content before the change? Or do I just assume everything I'm interested in will come via RSS?
Monday, June 08, 2009
2009 book 123
Sara Shepard's Perfect
God, sometimes I jut want to give these characters a shake b/c they're so annoying and stupid! But the cliffhanger ending was pretty dramatic and a blurb at the back of this book claims all will be revealed in book 4, so I guess I'll read that one too. (Though aren't there like six books in this series? I really can't take much more of this.)
God, sometimes I jut want to give these characters a shake b/c they're so annoying and stupid! But the cliffhanger ending was pretty dramatic and a blurb at the back of this book claims all will be revealed in book 4, so I guess I'll read that one too. (Though aren't there like six books in this series? I really can't take much more of this.)
2009 book 122
Sara Shepard's Flawless
I thought most of the plots from the first book would be resolved in the second, but I guess you have to drag these mysteries out when you're writing a trashy YA series. I have the third one checked out so figure I'll read it, but this one had me losing a lot of interest.
I thought most of the plots from the first book would be resolved in the second, but I guess you have to drag these mysteries out when you're writing a trashy YA series. I have the third one checked out so figure I'll read it, but this one had me losing a lot of interest.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
2009 book 121
Kathleen George's Afterimage
EW reviewed another book by George recently and mentioned that she sets her mysteries in Pittsburgh, so of course I had to check them out! George is actually a theater professor at Pitt, but she has a good story sense for mysteries. Apparently this is the third in a series, but it didn't feel like I was missing anything and there wasn't much referring to pat events. In this one, a rookie cop is vaguely acquainted with two murder victims and gets a hunch for who the killer might be. I found the end a little disappointing, and was annoyed that characters would announce that the rookie cop had a crush on her boss when we'd seen no evidence that was the case until then, but it was a serviceable story and I'll read her new one if the library gets it. B.
EW reviewed another book by George recently and mentioned that she sets her mysteries in Pittsburgh, so of course I had to check them out! George is actually a theater professor at Pitt, but she has a good story sense for mysteries. Apparently this is the third in a series, but it didn't feel like I was missing anything and there wasn't much referring to pat events. In this one, a rookie cop is vaguely acquainted with two murder victims and gets a hunch for who the killer might be. I found the end a little disappointing, and was annoyed that characters would announce that the rookie cop had a crush on her boss when we'd seen no evidence that was the case until then, but it was a serviceable story and I'll read her new one if the library gets it. B.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
2009 book 120
Alison Croggon's The Singing
A really nice wrap-up to Croggon's series about magical musicians, this book does a nice job of balancing the endless journeying with exciting battles as the magical siblings try to find each other and save the world. I also thought Croggon did a good job of reminding readers what happened in the earlier books (whcih I appreciated, since I read them a while ago) without hammering us over the head with it. A-.
A really nice wrap-up to Croggon's series about magical musicians, this book does a nice job of balancing the endless journeying with exciting battles as the magical siblings try to find each other and save the world. I also thought Croggon did a good job of reminding readers what happened in the earlier books (whcih I appreciated, since I read them a while ago) without hammering us over the head with it. A-.
Friday, June 05, 2009
2009 book 119
Kate Morton's The House at Riverton
Man, did I enjoy this book! It's one of those great flashback to an English manor house in the 1920s sort of stories, when a very old woman who served as a maid in the house is contacted by a filmmaker who wants to make a movie about a tragic death that happened there. Of course really it's about the maid and the family and all their wonderful dramas. But, you know, literary. A.
Man, did I enjoy this book! It's one of those great flashback to an English manor house in the 1920s sort of stories, when a very old woman who served as a maid in the house is contacted by a filmmaker who wants to make a movie about a tragic death that happened there. Of course really it's about the maid and the family and all their wonderful dramas. But, you know, literary. A.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
2009 book 118
Mria V. Snyder's Fire Study
This was kind of a weak sauce ending to Snyder's trilogy--way too predictable.
This was kind of a weak sauce ending to Snyder's trilogy--way too predictable.
2009 book 117
Joan London's The Good Parents
I guess this was an okay book. A young woman's parents go to visit her, only she's left with her older married boyfriend/boss and they become frantic with worry. Maybe "frantic" is too strong a word, since this book keeps things on an even keel--no drama at all really. There are lots of flashbacks to the parents' youth and how they got together, only sometimes the passages were really clumsily inserted and it took me a page or two to realize it was a flashback and not something else entirely. I will say that some of the minor characters are great, particularly the son, but the rest were fairly boring. B/B-.
I guess this was an okay book. A young woman's parents go to visit her, only she's left with her older married boyfriend/boss and they become frantic with worry. Maybe "frantic" is too strong a word, since this book keeps things on an even keel--no drama at all really. There are lots of flashbacks to the parents' youth and how they got together, only sometimes the passages were really clumsily inserted and it took me a page or two to realize it was a flashback and not something else entirely. I will say that some of the minor characters are great, particularly the son, but the rest were fairly boring. B/B-.
Monday, June 01, 2009
stuff 'n' stuff
The Hater on why vampire boyfriends are lame made me giggle. Also, Twilight is Brad Meltzer's guilty pleasure read. (I've never read anything by Meltzer--the plot of Book of Lies seemed interesting, but then I saw it on sale in the supermarket and book snobbery prevailed.
Martha Stewart's cupcake book comes out tomorrow! Her cookie one is one of my all-time favorites.
And I meant to post about this last week--I certainly spent enough time being excited about it on the phone w/ my mom--but it's never too late for awesome news like the newest American Girl doll being Jewish. Nine year old me is thrilled!! And thirty year old me still kind of wants one, haha.
Martha Stewart's cupcake book comes out tomorrow! Her cookie one is one of my all-time favorites.
And I meant to post about this last week--I certainly spent enough time being excited about it on the phone w/ my mom--but it's never too late for awesome news like the newest American Girl doll being Jewish. Nine year old me is thrilled!! And thirty year old me still kind of wants one, haha.
2009 book 116
Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars
Teenage girls, secrets, mysteries, lies, missing people, sex, eating disorders . . . This book has it all! I really enjoyed Shepard's first adult book, The Visibles, so decided to give her slightly trashy YA series a try. The first one has an awesome cliffhanger ending and I'm totally reading the next one.
Teenage girls, secrets, mysteries, lies, missing people, sex, eating disorders . . . This book has it all! I really enjoyed Shepard's first adult book, The Visibles, so decided to give her slightly trashy YA series a try. The first one has an awesome cliffhanger ending and I'm totally reading the next one.
2009 book 115
Maria V. Snyder's Magic Study
This was a generally satisfying follow-up to Poison Study, as protagonist Yelena starts learning to use her magic, meets her long-lost relatives, and gets into more crazy adventures. B+.
This was a generally satisfying follow-up to Poison Study, as protagonist Yelena starts learning to use her magic, meets her long-lost relatives, and gets into more crazy adventures. B+.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
2009 book 114
Joanna Scott's Follow Me
Man, was this book a piece of drekkerai. I'm not even sure why I kept reading it, except that I thought it was going to get interesting at some point. I mean, it's a woman telling her grandmother's life story from the time she got pregnant as a teenager and ran away from her family and the baby--but all that happens is that she keeps running away from things and getting rescued. There's no tension at all and the characters are really flat and dull. I think the end was supposed to be a big twist but it was just all really dumb. C-. D.. Whatever. Some bad grade.
Man, was this book a piece of drekkerai. I'm not even sure why I kept reading it, except that I thought it was going to get interesting at some point. I mean, it's a woman telling her grandmother's life story from the time she got pregnant as a teenager and ran away from her family and the baby--but all that happens is that she keeps running away from things and getting rescued. There's no tension at all and the characters are really flat and dull. I think the end was supposed to be a big twist but it was just all really dumb. C-. D.. Whatever. Some bad grade.
Friday, May 29, 2009
2009 book 113
Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study
How I heart YA fantasy, especially when it's by a fellow Penn State alum! In this book (the first of a trilogy), a young woman, about to be executed for murder, is instead recruited to serve as the ruler's food tester, and is inevitably thrust into intrigue and whatnot. Also, there's magic and a little romance. The characters are all really likable, and I can't wait to read the next two. A.
How I heart YA fantasy, especially when it's by a fellow Penn State alum! In this book (the first of a trilogy), a young woman, about to be executed for murder, is instead recruited to serve as the ruler's food tester, and is inevitably thrust into intrigue and whatnot. Also, there's magic and a little romance. The characters are all really likable, and I can't wait to read the next two. A.
partially read
Iain Pear's Stone's Fall
I'm trying really hard to get into this novel--it has a fairly interesting premise, where a widow hires a young reporter to ferret out her husband's secrets (namely a secret child) after his death. But all that's happened in the first 113 pages is the reporter meandering around trying to unravel the mysteries of finance. SO BORING. Also, the title isn't literary or metaphorical at all--the dead guy is named Stone and he fell out a window. Terrible.
I'm trying really hard to get into this novel--it has a fairly interesting premise, where a widow hires a young reporter to ferret out her husband's secrets (namely a secret child) after his death. But all that's happened in the first 113 pages is the reporter meandering around trying to unravel the mysteries of finance. SO BORING. Also, the title isn't literary or metaphorical at all--the dead guy is named Stone and he fell out a window. Terrible.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
2009 book 112
Colm Toibin's Brooklyn
I hate that the book jacket gave away a bunch of things that happened like 200 pages into the book, so I'll be more vague than they were. Anyway, it's the 1950s and a passive young Irish girl who can't find a job in her hometown is packed off to America by her beloved mother and sister. Reading about her adjustment to a whole new country (and a whole new world of dating) was surprisingly riveting, even though the story had almost a dream-like quality to it (which is certainly not a bad thing, just it's not always as attention-grabbing). I'd never read anything by Toibin before and clearly I've been missing out. A.
I hate that the book jacket gave away a bunch of things that happened like 200 pages into the book, so I'll be more vague than they were. Anyway, it's the 1950s and a passive young Irish girl who can't find a job in her hometown is packed off to America by her beloved mother and sister. Reading about her adjustment to a whole new country (and a whole new world of dating) was surprisingly riveting, even though the story had almost a dream-like quality to it (which is certainly not a bad thing, just it's not always as attention-grabbing). I'd never read anything by Toibin before and clearly I've been missing out. A.
2009 book 111
Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn
I will say this for the final Twilight book--Meyer really threw a lot of unexpected stuff into it and I liked most of it on this re-read. I think one of the things that depresses me about the earlier books is Bella always talking about how she's not "worthy" of Edward's (creepy, obsessive) love--it just seems like an unhealthy attitude for lots of pre-teens to read. At least in this book she's kind of a bad-ass, and his equal.
I will say this for the final Twilight book--Meyer really threw a lot of unexpected stuff into it and I liked most of it on this re-read. I think one of the things that depresses me about the earlier books is Bella always talking about how she's not "worthy" of Edward's (creepy, obsessive) love--it just seems like an unhealthy attitude for lots of pre-teens to read. At least in this book she's kind of a bad-ass, and his equal.
2009 book 111
Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse
Man, is Edward a d-bag in the first chunk of this book. I like this one mainly for the werewolves.
Man, is Edward a d-bag in the first chunk of this book. I like this one mainly for the werewolves.
2009 book 110
Stephenie Meyer's New Moon
I like the second Twilight book a lot, mainly b/c Edward is hardly in it at all. I find him more and more annoying every time I read this, so overbearing and patronizing and boring. Team Jacob!
(I have been on a teen vampire kick lately, apparently--still re-watching Buffy! Got through a big chunk of season 3 this afternoon.)
I like the second Twilight book a lot, mainly b/c Edward is hardly in it at all. I find him more and more annoying every time I read this, so overbearing and patronizing and boring. Team Jacob!
(I have been on a teen vampire kick lately, apparently--still re-watching Buffy! Got through a big chunk of season 3 this afternoon.)
Monday, May 25, 2009
2009 book 109
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight
Today was a mildly annoying day, plus it was too hot and humid to read anything that required real thought, which meant it was time to reread Twilight! Whenever I read these books, I have a hard time balancing my enjoyment of the cheesiness with being vaguely creeped out by the Edward-Bella relationship. This re-read made me disappointed in the movie all over again--it could have been hilarious and cheesy, but it's just terrible in every way instead. Oh well.
Today was a mildly annoying day, plus it was too hot and humid to read anything that required real thought, which meant it was time to reread Twilight! Whenever I read these books, I have a hard time balancing my enjoyment of the cheesiness with being vaguely creeped out by the Edward-Bella relationship. This re-read made me disappointed in the movie all over again--it could have been hilarious and cheesy, but it's just terrible in every way instead. Oh well.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
2009 book 108
Michelle Richmond's No One You Know
Twenty years after her sister was murdered and a close friend/teacher turned her sad conversations into a best-selling true crime book, a woman's chance encounter has her investigating the death all over again. Though this isn't a mystery really, more of a novel that has a mystery inside it. I guess tragic and mysterious family dramas are Richmond's specialty; her previous book had similar themes. (There's a weird meta-mention of that novel in this one that I found a little off-putting.) Anyway, this was entertaining enough to read in one sitting, though not particularly spectacular in any way (a little too much math-related dialogue for my taste). B+.
Twenty years after her sister was murdered and a close friend/teacher turned her sad conversations into a best-selling true crime book, a woman's chance encounter has her investigating the death all over again. Though this isn't a mystery really, more of a novel that has a mystery inside it. I guess tragic and mysterious family dramas are Richmond's specialty; her previous book had similar themes. (There's a weird meta-mention of that novel in this one that I found a little off-putting.) Anyway, this was entertaining enough to read in one sitting, though not particularly spectacular in any way (a little too much math-related dialogue for my taste). B+.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
2009 book 107
John Hart's The Last Child
Hart is a local author, I think--or at least the story is set in rural NC. Anyway, a girl disappears, and a year later, her twin brother is still relentlessly pursuing leads, supported by the kindly head detective on the case. Things heat up when another local girl goes missing. I really liked the boy character but the cop was fairly cliche-ridden. The resolution was mostly really good and the story was interesting enough to keep me reading, but parts of it were more than a bit predictable. I dunno, B?
Hart is a local author, I think--or at least the story is set in rural NC. Anyway, a girl disappears, and a year later, her twin brother is still relentlessly pursuing leads, supported by the kindly head detective on the case. Things heat up when another local girl goes missing. I really liked the boy character but the cop was fairly cliche-ridden. The resolution was mostly really good and the story was interesting enough to keep me reading, but parts of it were more than a bit predictable. I dunno, B?
Friday, May 22, 2009
fun new comics
For someone who works in a comic book store, I really don't post enough stuff about comic books! So here's info on a few new things that are awesome.
The first issue of Unwritten is out (and only a dollar)--it's a strong start to a series I'm definitely looking forward to, with lots of magic and stories-about-stories and literary references (I think Sandman fans will like this a lot--it's also described as "Vertigo does Harry Potter" which I suppose is accurate enough).
Another comic chock full of literary references is League of Extraordinary Gentleman, the new series of which just started. It still stars Mina Murray (from Dracula) but this time adds Virginia Woolf's Orlando into the mix (along with a bunch of British characters who sing rewritten song lyrics to songs I would know if I were British). Anyway, Alan Moore's stuff is always worth reading and LOEG is easily my favorite of his series.
For a bit of a change of pace, there's Incognito, about a supervillain in witness protection. I totally love this series--and I rarely read anything involving superpowers. The narrative is great, though, and I'm really into it.
Finally, I just started reading Pluto, an adaptation of an Astro Boy story. Now, I have a weird aversion to all of Tezuka's stuff (it tends to be grisly, and Apollo's Song turned me off forever), but this is really an entirely different take. The art is great, and you really can't go wrong with a murder mystery involving robots. The third volume just came out and I bet it's awesome!
The first issue of Unwritten is out (and only a dollar)--it's a strong start to a series I'm definitely looking forward to, with lots of magic and stories-about-stories and literary references (I think Sandman fans will like this a lot--it's also described as "Vertigo does Harry Potter" which I suppose is accurate enough).
Another comic chock full of literary references is League of Extraordinary Gentleman, the new series of which just started. It still stars Mina Murray (from Dracula) but this time adds Virginia Woolf's Orlando into the mix (along with a bunch of British characters who sing rewritten song lyrics to songs I would know if I were British). Anyway, Alan Moore's stuff is always worth reading and LOEG is easily my favorite of his series.
For a bit of a change of pace, there's Incognito, about a supervillain in witness protection. I totally love this series--and I rarely read anything involving superpowers. The narrative is great, though, and I'm really into it.
Finally, I just started reading Pluto, an adaptation of an Astro Boy story. Now, I have a weird aversion to all of Tezuka's stuff (it tends to be grisly, and Apollo's Song turned me off forever), but this is really an entirely different take. The art is great, and you really can't go wrong with a murder mystery involving robots. The third volume just came out and I bet it's awesome!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2009 book 106
Alan Bradley's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
You really can't go wrong with an 11-year-old girl chemist/sleuth trying to solve a murder that happens in her eccentric family's garden. Hilarious characters, revenge schemes between sisters, philatelists, long-suffering policemen, all in 1950s England--it adds up to an extremely entertaining mystery. Bradley is apparently working on a sequel and I hope it comes out soon! A.
You really can't go wrong with an 11-year-old girl chemist/sleuth trying to solve a murder that happens in her eccentric family's garden. Hilarious characters, revenge schemes between sisters, philatelists, long-suffering policemen, all in 1950s England--it adds up to an extremely entertaining mystery. Bradley is apparently working on a sequel and I hope it comes out soon! A.
fun and exciting things i've shared
Link round-up time!
The NY Times did a profile of Charlaine Harris. I'm hoping she wraps up the Sookie Stackhouse series soon, b/c she was clearly spinning her wheels with the last two books (read: they were terrible).
The Boston Police will warn you when the zombies come.
Interesting legal case: the creators of Emily the Strange are suing the writer and artist the original Emily art is clearly based on (suing to remove any claims they may have on the Emily character). My largely uneducated take: while the author/artist of Rosamond clearly deserve some sort of credit for the original design, the Emily empire has gone far beyond that and has nothing to do with their art. Or something. Still, the Emily people are kind of being jerkwads about it.
I was psyched that the popwatch blog was into Being Erica. I loved this show (not just 'cause it was all so Jewish) and can't wait to see season 2.
The NY Times did a profile of Charlaine Harris. I'm hoping she wraps up the Sookie Stackhouse series soon, b/c she was clearly spinning her wheels with the last two books (read: they were terrible).
The Boston Police will warn you when the zombies come.
Interesting legal case: the creators of Emily the Strange are suing the writer and artist the original Emily art is clearly based on (suing to remove any claims they may have on the Emily character). My largely uneducated take: while the author/artist of Rosamond clearly deserve some sort of credit for the original design, the Emily empire has gone far beyond that and has nothing to do with their art. Or something. Still, the Emily people are kind of being jerkwads about it.
I was psyched that the popwatch blog was into Being Erica. I loved this show (not just 'cause it was all so Jewish) and can't wait to see season 2.
2009 book 105
Sara Shepard's The Visibles
How to describe this book to make it sound as awesome as it is? There's a dysfunctional family--a severely depressed father, a mother who's gone, a fairly weird brother, and the protagonist, a teenage girl obsessed with DNA and feeling out of place in school and life. Plus a wacky great-aunt in Western PA. But, you know, awesome! I really enjoyed these characters and their family relationships. The end maybe wrapped up a little quickly but I have no complaints. A. Shepard is apparently the author of a popular YA catty girl series (Pretty Little Liars) and I may try those out, since I really liked her narrative voice.
How to describe this book to make it sound as awesome as it is? There's a dysfunctional family--a severely depressed father, a mother who's gone, a fairly weird brother, and the protagonist, a teenage girl obsessed with DNA and feeling out of place in school and life. Plus a wacky great-aunt in Western PA. But, you know, awesome! I really enjoyed these characters and their family relationships. The end maybe wrapped up a little quickly but I have no complaints. A. Shepard is apparently the author of a popular YA catty girl series (Pretty Little Liars) and I may try those out, since I really liked her narrative voice.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
partially read
Glen David Gold's Sunnyside
I remembered really liking Gold's first book, which came out about a hundred years ago, so was excited he finally published a second one. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. It's a slow starter and definitely there were some characters/plots I found interesting, but I got bogged down in a lengthy section involving Charlie Chaplin and totally lost interest. I have a rule that if I get 100 pages into a book and don't care enough to finish, I can totally give up and move on to another one. And I just couldn't face 400 more pages of this.
I remembered really liking Gold's first book, which came out about a hundred years ago, so was excited he finally published a second one. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. It's a slow starter and definitely there were some characters/plots I found interesting, but I got bogged down in a lengthy section involving Charlie Chaplin and totally lost interest. I have a rule that if I get 100 pages into a book and don't care enough to finish, I can totally give up and move on to another one. And I just couldn't face 400 more pages of this.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
craig ferguson makes life a little more awesome.
Sometimes I stay up late just to see if his opening will include lip-syncing and puppets. Last night it finally did!
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