Too fun.
12.11.10
9.11.10
1.11.10
The Thirtieth One
I can't believe it's taken me almost three years to blog thirty times.
At any rate, continuing on from post #28:
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien
These books were probably the most ambitious books my mom chose to read to us. In these books, Tolkien created an entire world, multiple cultures and societies and mythologies that sucked me in and left we with the same awe of elves that Gimli had. I treasured these stories, although to be honest I went many years thinking I had only ever heard The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Rings. In my memory we got to the end of Fellowship and Mom needed a break, so we read something else and never returned to them. Mom maintains, however, that she made it through all three books of TLoTR. She may be right, but when the movies came out, I was still surprised by the second and third.
Even as a youngster, aside from the elves, my absolute favorite character was Boromir. I related to his weakness and admired his strength and fortitude (not surprisingly, my favorite apostle is Peter). Personally, I believe that Sean Bean was perfect as Boromir in the movies, no other character or actor moved me like he did.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
I don't know how Mom found these stories, but they thrilled us kids to the extent that my younger brother Charlie actually requested them as a present one year. Each book consists of short stories divided into different chapters, and each chapter focuses on one child or group of children who have a specific problems (usually with their parents). My personal favorite is the "I-thought-you-said" kids who had problems listening. Inevitably trouble at home would lead the parents of these delinquent kids to give Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle a callMrs. Piggle-Wiggle is the beloved old lady that lives in the upside-down house or on the wacky farm depending on which book you read. She loves and understands children, they in turn love her, and their parents (if you can believe it) love her even more.
At any rate, continuing on from post #28:
My Childhood in Stories
pt. 2
All the books mentioned in this post were part of "Story Time" in my house. My parents boldly home-schooled us all which meant we could move at whatever pace we (they) wanted or needed. Often in the morning we would begin with Story Time. Mom would gather us in the living room, during the winter we would fight over the heating vents, and then when we were all settled she would read to us.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
We read through all nine books in the series. These series probably began my love for all things western, even if the books themselves are not technically westerns. I delighted in hearing about the country before it was settled, the traditions of the families that first settled the area and the hardships they faced. It was fascinating to me that the place I was living at the time was roughly the same place that Laura and her family lived in the books.
Every year for a few years we had the opportunity to spend a day living like the settlers lived. One year we celebrated Christmas as they would have, another we spent a day in a one-room schoolhouse. For me, this experience did not make the past come alive, it made these books come alive. The books had already made history real for me.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
My list of stories is teeming with different series, but no book list of mine would be complete without these. They are delightful. They inspired my imagination and appealed to the part of me that still believed in fairytales. They brought Biblical stories and principles alive in ways that only truly vivid and thorough allegories can; at the same time Lewis created stories that exist and live on their own, allowing people of all backgrounds to be just as inspired as I was.
We read through these books as a family at least once, and I read through them myself at least twice. We had this set books, which are apparently sort of collectors items. My personal favorites are The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Magician's Nephew (because I have always been a sucker for an origin story). My mom, however is partial to The Silver Chair about which I cannot remember a thing despite having it read to me and reading it myself.
We read through these books as a family at least once, and I read through them myself at least twice. We had this set books, which are apparently sort of collectors items. My personal favorites are The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Magician's Nephew (because I have always been a sucker for an origin story). My mom, however is partial to The Silver Chair about which I cannot remember a thing despite having it read to me and reading it myself.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien
These books were probably the most ambitious books my mom chose to read to us. In these books, Tolkien created an entire world, multiple cultures and societies and mythologies that sucked me in and left we with the same awe of elves that Gimli had. I treasured these stories, although to be honest I went many years thinking I had only ever heard The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Rings. In my memory we got to the end of Fellowship and Mom needed a break, so we read something else and never returned to them. Mom maintains, however, that she made it through all three books of TLoTR. She may be right, but when the movies came out, I was still surprised by the second and third.
Even as a youngster, aside from the elves, my absolute favorite character was Boromir. I related to his weakness and admired his strength and fortitude (not surprisingly, my favorite apostle is Peter). Personally, I believe that Sean Bean was perfect as Boromir in the movies, no other character or actor moved me like he did.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
I don't know how Mom found these stories, but they thrilled us kids to the extent that my younger brother Charlie actually requested them as a present one year. Each book consists of short stories divided into different chapters, and each chapter focuses on one child or group of children who have a specific problems (usually with their parents). My personal favorite is the "I-thought-you-said" kids who had problems listening. Inevitably trouble at home would lead the parents of these delinquent kids to give Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle a callMrs. Piggle-Wiggle is the beloved old lady that lives in the upside-down house or on the wacky farm depending on which book you read. She loves and understands children, they in turn love her, and their parents (if you can believe it) love her even more.
5.10.10
The Twenty-Ninth Post
Or, my European vacation with my best friend. I had too much fun while I was there and have had too much fun playing with Shutterfly. Thanks Shutterfly, for making this soooo easy!
29.6.10
The Twenty-Eighth One
Or:
My Childhood in Stories
pt. 1
When I was a kid I liked to sleep with people, things, and animals in bed. I loved when one of parents would stay with me until I fell asleep. I loved to sleep with every single one of my (very extensive collection of) stuffed animals (NOT dolls). I would let my dog Jenny actually sleep under my covers, sometimes with her head on my pillow, if that's what she wanted. And sometimes I would sleep with books. I surrounded myself with as many books as I could get my hands on, so there was no room for me to turn over or move at all, really, without books falling to the ground. My parents never understood. To be honest, I don't know exactly why I did it either. That's alright. Sometimes it's okay to just chalk things up to being a kid.
Let me just say that this was a very difficult assignment for me. Once I started listing books I wanted to include in the list I couldn't stop! I constantly had to cheat by going from individual books to series of books and in some cases I even had to just include significant authors. My list is by no means a comprehensive list of all the books I read throughout my childhood. In fact today's list only includes a few selections from my over-all, non-comprehensive list. Apparently, when it comes to books, I could go on and on and on.
I have futilely tried to divide my list into different categories in an attempt to organize my post. This will work for today and tomorrow. Beyond that, I don't know.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss was a very popular storyteller in my family. Not only were his stories often read to me, but they were some of the first stories I read by myself. There are so many stories I could talk about, so many I love, but there are two that for some reason stand out in my memory.
First: There's a Wocket in My Pocket. There's not much to this book in terms of in-depth, life-changing plot lines and character development. It's just silly, frivolous rhymes and illustrations. It appealed greatly to me as a child, because I was sort of silly and frivolous myself. At one point, I had the entire thing memorized. Be aware: don't buy the "board book". Apparently it's missing some pages!
Second: The Lorax. There are so many things about this book that I adore. It is already a story within a story; if it was read to me it was a story within a story within a story. It has never taken much to amuse me. "I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!" He was such a charming little guy. And it was difficult to hate the Once-ler completely (difficult, but not impossible), he was making such a cool product ("A Thneed's a fine something that everyone needs!"). The Once-ler who let his greed and ambition consume him so he was blind to what was going on around him and deaf to the Lorax, who was eventually driven away from his home. Only the Once-ler was left to tell the story of what used to be a beautiful and magical place. It's like Avatar, but not in space... or 3D (so many stories to compare to Avatar. Here's three more: Fern Gully, Dances With Wolves, Disney's Pocahantas). But I digress. When I was a kid I was mostly just enchanted by the world that Dr. Seuss created. And I really wanted a Brown Barbaloot all for myself.
How the Sun Was Brought Back to the Sky by Mirra Ginsburg
I love this book. The story and illustrations have stayed with me for more than a decade. The title, however, often eludes me. Which is silly, because it truly is a book about how the sun was brought back to the sky. This was accomplished through the perseverance, dedication, and teamwork of a group little chicks and the animal friends they met on their journey. I especially love the part of the book where all the animals ride the suns rays back to their homes at the end. I could always envision this so clearly in my mind that I just assumed their was picture of this in the book, but as I sit here with the book in my hand, there's no picture of the animals riding the rays. I guess I just imagined it.
My grandmother owned this book. She lived down the street when I was a kid. I read this book all the time when I visited her. It never got old. I don't know if it is out of print, but you can definitely by a used one on Amazon. I am privileged now to own my own copy. I plan to take very good care of it.
Little Dot and Richie Rich
I already mentioned one grandmother, who lived down the street. My other grandma lived two and a half hours away in Kansas. In her basement she had a huge stack of (not-very-well-taken-care-of but certainly-well-loved) comic books. There was Archie, Casper the friendly ghost, and Wendy the good witch. But mostly (in my memory anyway- my brothers probably remember differently) there was Little Dot and Richie Rich. I can't be sure, but this was probably my first experience with comic books and I still read them. I have graduated from the wonderfully child-friendly comics my grandma owned to ones slightly darker, but I still apparently got started early.
Little Dot was my favorite. I loved her various Aunts and Uncles that the encountered in every story and I loved her obsession with dots, somehow it always helped her out of a tight fix. She was such a resourceful little girl.
Stories from the Mouth
This, like the previous entry, is not a book. Technically, this list is My Childhood in Stories, NOT My Childhood in Books. I like to capitalize on loopholes whenever possible.
My dad worked nights, so he wasn't often there to put us kids to bed. But when he was, there was nothing I loved more than for my dad to rub my back and tell me a "story from his mouth" until I fell asleep. This simply means that he wasn't allowed to read the story, he had to make it up. I'm pretty sure sometimes he cheated and told stories like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" or "The Three Little Pigs," but I'm equally as sure that he added his own twists along the way. I could be getting this wrong, but I don't think I allowed my mom to tell me stories from her mouth. She got to read stories to me. Dad had to make things up as he went along. Poor dad. Such pressure!
28.6.10
The Twenty-Seventh One
Or: My Childhood in Stories
Or: Just One More Stolen Idea
Or: Support Local Business
I had the opportunity to go home a few weeks ago to Lincoln, NE. It was wonderful. Not only did I get to see a LOT of family (including Aunts) I had the opportunity to meet up with and old friend, and of course I got to spend some quality time with the fam.
Let's get this out of the way: I love the Midwest. More than that, I love Nebraska (for all its cows and corn). More than THAT I love, love, love Lincoln. It's just such a great city. Every time I go home my family asks what I want to do. Most of the places I want to visit have to do with food (or drink): Amigos (best ranch dressing EVER) has "Two Taco Wednesday" and I was lucky enough to be there on "Five Tacos on the Fifth." There's Runza, Valentino's, The Grateful Bread/Freakbeat Vegetarian (try the Moroccan Tomato and soak in the atmosphere), The Mill (where we went to drink coffee, smoke cigars and watch people at the Farmer's Market on Saturday), and Jake's (where my brother works, we can actually, legally, smoke cigars indoors, and which has a selection of liquor the likes of which I've never seen).
But Lincoln is not only about food and family (just, you know, mostly). Lincoln has a remarkable selection of locally owned shops and restaurants (all of the one's I listed above originated in Lincoln and, as far as I know, only the food places have branched out to surrounding areas). Having grown up with this, I didn't realize how remarkable it was until I moved away. Maybe it has something to do with being a college town, but I currently live in a place that seems to house very few local, well, anything. There are quite a few restaurants and bars, but the most frequented joints seem to be the chains. I have yet to find a local bookstore and have found only one local coffee shop.
Keeping all that in mind, I do enjoy stopping in at some of the local shops whenever I'm in Lincoln. My absolute favorites are: Paint Yourself Silly (from which I own several dishes) and Ivanna Cone (where once I had a Nerds sherbert [sherbet?] and another time had a mango and chili pepper sorbet). Both shops are located in the same building in downtown Lincoln (although Paint Yourself Silly has another location I believe). The same building which also houses Indigo Bridge Books (please check it out. I love that it's local, I love that it has several events and book clubs, I love that it is dedicated to a bilingual community). Which brings me to the whole point of this post.
As I was browsing through the store I came upon a display entitled "My Childhood in Stories." Not only did have different books, but whoever (whomever?) made the display had also written little blurbs on notecards about why the books were so significant to him even as an adult. This idea made me swoon (metaphorically, of course) and I jotted down the idea for safe keeping. That said, that's what the NEXT few posts will be about. This one is just an introduction and chance for me to say: support local business! (as much as you can).
Or: Just One More Stolen Idea
Or: Support Local Business
I had the opportunity to go home a few weeks ago to Lincoln, NE. It was wonderful. Not only did I get to see a LOT of family (including Aunts) I had the opportunity to meet up with and old friend, and of course I got to spend some quality time with the fam.
Let's get this out of the way: I love the Midwest. More than that, I love Nebraska (for all its cows and corn). More than THAT I love, love, love Lincoln. It's just such a great city. Every time I go home my family asks what I want to do. Most of the places I want to visit have to do with food (or drink): Amigos (best ranch dressing EVER) has "Two Taco Wednesday" and I was lucky enough to be there on "Five Tacos on the Fifth." There's Runza, Valentino's, The Grateful Bread/Freakbeat Vegetarian (try the Moroccan Tomato and soak in the atmosphere), The Mill (where we went to drink coffee, smoke cigars and watch people at the Farmer's Market on Saturday), and Jake's (where my brother works, we can actually, legally, smoke cigars indoors, and which has a selection of liquor the likes of which I've never seen).
But Lincoln is not only about food and family (just, you know, mostly). Lincoln has a remarkable selection of locally owned shops and restaurants (all of the one's I listed above originated in Lincoln and, as far as I know, only the food places have branched out to surrounding areas). Having grown up with this, I didn't realize how remarkable it was until I moved away. Maybe it has something to do with being a college town, but I currently live in a place that seems to house very few local, well, anything. There are quite a few restaurants and bars, but the most frequented joints seem to be the chains. I have yet to find a local bookstore and have found only one local coffee shop.
Keeping all that in mind, I do enjoy stopping in at some of the local shops whenever I'm in Lincoln. My absolute favorites are: Paint Yourself Silly (from which I own several dishes) and Ivanna Cone (where once I had a Nerds sherbert [sherbet?] and another time had a mango and chili pepper sorbet). Both shops are located in the same building in downtown Lincoln (although Paint Yourself Silly has another location I believe). The same building which also houses Indigo Bridge Books (please check it out. I love that it's local, I love that it has several events and book clubs, I love that it is dedicated to a bilingual community). Which brings me to the whole point of this post.
As I was browsing through the store I came upon a display entitled "My Childhood in Stories." Not only did have different books, but whoever (whomever?) made the display had also written little blurbs on notecards about why the books were so significant to him even as an adult. This idea made me swoon (metaphorically, of course) and I jotted down the idea for safe keeping. That said, that's what the NEXT few posts will be about. This one is just an introduction and chance for me to say: support local business! (as much as you can).
20.5.10
The Twenty-Sixth One
That said, if you liked the first Iron Man you'll like the second as well. It continues on in exactly the same vein.
Things I liked:
- the briefcase Iron Man suit.
- Mickey Rourke as Whiplash.
- Whiplash's whips.
- the old videos of Tony Stark's dad.
- watching Tony Stark deal with his impending doom in a self-destructive manner, while at the same time seeing (once more) how much the people around him truly love and care about him.
- Pepper Potts with a backbone. Really, just Pepper in general.
- War Machine. Seriously, how this character came to be was equal parts heart-breaking and hilarious. Don Cheadle is always wonderful.
- Sam Rockwell. Always and forever with the Sam Rockwell. Favorite Rockwell parts: Guy (Galaxy Quest), Zaphod (Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and anytime I've ever seen him. Actor I love just as much if not more and tend to lump in the same general category of skeezy but entertaining characters: Gary Oldman.
- any and every reference to S.H.I.E.L.D. This includes Samuel L. Jackson and that guy who is the ex-husband of Julia Louis-Dreyfus on The New Adventures of Old Christine
- staying until the credits are over.
- Jon Favreau.
- Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow.
What made my night: (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD) "Thor's like, the Greek god of storms or something." Oh people sitting behind me... read a book!
On a not completely separate, but should probably be in another post note, I read a review from another blogger who was well and truly irate at the sexism, racism and other isms that apparently run rampant in this movie. Among other things, she had a problem that the Black Widow was wearing a skin-tight bodysuit while Iron Man had a, well, iron suit (don't blame the movie, blame the artists that came up with her in the first place). She also had a problem with Pepper not being able to handle the stress after being a CEO for only a week (despite the numerous life-threatening situations she had been in- usually involving explosions of some sort) and Tony Stark's womanizing behavior (I'll give her this one, although only people who act like that anyways think it's alright to act like that... plus, I'm pretty sure Widow could take him when he's not wearing the suit). I think the woman who wrote the article needs to calm down. Not every movie out there is looking to slight the general population, sometimes it's just looking to entertain. And if we took everything that was remotely offensive out of movies we would be left with absolutely nothing, or at least absolutely nothing real. Because people and life in general have the tendency to BE offensive, whether they mean to or not. Better we know how to deal with it than be confined in a bubble of tolerance that kills original thought and creativity.
That is called a rant. Some would call it babbling. They would call it this because the point I set out to make was not the point I made in the end. "F" for organization.
23.4.10
The Twenty-Fifth One
And the fun continues with...
I must say that, in general, zombies freak me out. I mean they seriously freak me out. It doesn't matter if they are moving at the speed of slug like in Night of the Living Dead (which I will never watch all the way through ever since catching the last 15 minutes) or the speed of road-runner like in 28 Days Later (which I will never, ever, ever see). I prefer my zombies with a substantial dose of humor as seen in Shawn of the Dead and, more recently, Zombieland. However, despite my aversion to them, I prefer my Jane Austen with a substantial amount of zombies. It doesn't hurt that there's also plenty of ninja action as well.
So this book is fun. Super-fun in fact. It remains true to the original story and writing style while creatively phasing zombies and ninjas into the text without it being too weird (it's still pretty weird).
As much as I like it, though, it took me a long time to finish. Perhaps if I had never read the original I would not have had such a problem, but the book still seemed to drag, especially toward the end. Like the original book, I just wanted to get to the end.
I must say that, in general, zombies freak me out. I mean they seriously freak me out. It doesn't matter if they are moving at the speed of slug like in Night of the Living Dead (which I will never watch all the way through ever since catching the last 15 minutes) or the speed of road-runner like in 28 Days Later (which I will never, ever, ever see). I prefer my zombies with a substantial dose of humor as seen in Shawn of the Dead and, more recently, Zombieland. However, despite my aversion to them, I prefer my Jane Austen with a substantial amount of zombies. It doesn't hurt that there's also plenty of ninja action as well.
So this book is fun. Super-fun in fact. It remains true to the original story and writing style while creatively phasing zombies and ninjas into the text without it being too weird (it's still pretty weird).
As much as I like it, though, it took me a long time to finish. Perhaps if I had never read the original I would not have had such a problem, but the book still seemed to drag, especially toward the end. Like the original book, I just wanted to get to the end.
21.4.10
The Twenty-fourth One
A few months ago I posted a list of books I wanted to read this year. Books I already owned. Books I already started. The following is that list:
First of all, I believe that I have previously stated how, to a certain extent, I judge the books I read by their covers. Although I give myself a hard time, it actually works pretty well most of the time. I have, however, read some spectacular failures according to this method. This includes what I refer to as The Mistake. But I won't talk about that here. Anyway. The cover to this book is amazing and chilling and beautiful and a little bit terrifying. All adjectives which I could use to describe the story as well.
I have been a fan of Laurie Halse Anderson since reading her excellent book Speak, which deals with sexual high school, growing up, losing friends, communication (or lack there of) with parents, sexual abuse, and how to deal when all these things happen at or around the same time. I have not, however, read any of her other books until Wintergirls.
Wintergirls deals with eating disorders, cutting, depression, divorce, and living up (or failing to live up) to too high expectations. Our first introduction to the main character, Lia, is when she finds out her ex-best friend was just found dead, alone in a hotel room. As we follow Lia over the next days, weeks, months, we learn about her workaholic mother, her mostly absent father, her step-mother andstepsister, her isolation from the rest of the world, her disinterest in anything/everything, and finally her descent once again into the world of anorexia and cutting.
The content of the book is ugly, but the writing style is beautiful. So intriguing that I often forgot what I was reading. Anderson does not shy away from real issues, and she does not offer false or flimsy solutions. She takes you through a process that lasts months, not days, and the ends of her books are not happily-ever-after endings, but rather the first chapter to the rest of the story, or rather, the rest of the characters' lives. Lia is a real girl with real problems searching to find real solutions and she is surrounded by other, equally real, people who are dealing with both their own problems and Lia's.
I firmly believe that anyone who works with teenage girls in any fashion (coach, teacher, Bible study leader, club advisor, school administrator, pastor, any sort of group organizer or volunteer, etc.) should all have to read both this book and Anderson's other book Speak.
A couple summers ago I read Dashiell Hammet's The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon, thus turning me on to the world of mystery noir books. I'm not going to lie, I love this genre and Raymond Chandler's book The Big Sleep is most excellent... and super fun.
Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe is intriguing with his deadpan, self-deprecating approach to life. It is no wonder Humphrey Bogart was chosen to play this character. Although, I'm going to have to go back and watch the movie again, as I have no idea how closely it follows the book's story. I remember watching and loving the movie, but I don't remember a whole lot about the movie itself...
The best part of Chandler's writing is the great metaphors. He doesn't spend a lot of time making the language beautiful, but the metaphors are no less vivid. Personal favorite was found in the first couple chapters of the book (maybe the first couple pages... I don't have my book in front of me):
I loved the book by itself and for its own merits, but it often vividly reminded me of Calvin and Hobbes. I could (and probably will at some point) spend a LOT of time just waxing poetic about Bill Watterson's comic strip. (I don't like calling it a comic strip. It makes people take this trivial view of it. Calvin, Hobbes and Bill have all influenced my life greatly. There is a strip for almost every moment/event in my life up to this point. I am constantly being reminded of "that one strip from Calvin and Hobbes.) One of the great things about Calvin is that he, like Snoopy before him, has an incredible imagination (which is actually the premise of the strip, if you think about it). This imagination enables him to become other people entirely. The most famous of these characters is probably Spaceman Spiff, but my personal favorite is Tracer Bullet. The hardened private investigator who investigates such mysteries as math problems and who broke the lamp? Without going too crazy, here's a little taste of the Bullet himself:
Now, I've taken up enough of my time. I know I have a couple books left to review, but I'm stopping here... I am supposed to be working.
- Fluke* by Christopher Moore
- Lullaby* by Chuck Palahniuk
- What-the-Dickens* by Gregory Maguire
- Book Thief* by Markus Zusak
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- Dracula* by Bram Stoker
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
I happy to announce that the past couple weeks were remarkably successful in terms of reading (unfortunately, not all that productive otherwise). The list now looks like this (notice the final book was not the original list. I was bored and in an airport and it was the only one that looked interesting).
- Fluke* by Christopher Moore
- Lullaby* by Chuck Palahniuk
- What-the-Dickens* by Gregory Maguire
- Book Thief* by Markus Zusak
The Big Sleep by Raymond ChandlerPercy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan- Dracula* by Bram Stoker
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
I have been a fan of Laurie Halse Anderson since reading her excellent book Speak, which deals with sexual high school, growing up, losing friends, communication (or lack there of) with parents, sexual abuse, and how to deal when all these things happen at or around the same time. I have not, however, read any of her other books until Wintergirls.
Wintergirls deals with eating disorders, cutting, depression, divorce, and living up (or failing to live up) to too high expectations. Our first introduction to the main character, Lia, is when she finds out her ex-best friend was just found dead, alone in a hotel room. As we follow Lia over the next days, weeks, months, we learn about her workaholic mother, her mostly absent father, her step-mother and
The content of the book is ugly, but the writing style is beautiful. So intriguing that I often forgot what I was reading. Anderson does not shy away from real issues, and she does not offer false or flimsy solutions. She takes you through a process that lasts months, not days, and the ends of her books are not happily-ever-after endings, but rather the first chapter to the rest of the story, or rather, the rest of the characters' lives. Lia is a real girl with real problems searching to find real solutions and she is surrounded by other, equally real, people who are dealing with both their own problems and Lia's.
I firmly believe that anyone who works with teenage girls in any fashion (coach, teacher, Bible study leader, club advisor, school administrator, pastor, any sort of group organizer or volunteer, etc.) should all have to read both this book and Anderson's other book Speak.
A couple summers ago I read Dashiell Hammet's The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon, thus turning me on to the world of mystery noir books. I'm not going to lie, I love this genre and Raymond Chandler's book The Big Sleep is most excellent... and super fun.
Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe is intriguing with his deadpan, self-deprecating approach to life. It is no wonder Humphrey Bogart was chosen to play this character. Although, I'm going to have to go back and watch the movie again, as I have no idea how closely it follows the book's story. I remember watching and loving the movie, but I don't remember a whole lot about the movie itself...
The best part of Chandler's writing is the great metaphors. He doesn't spend a lot of time making the language beautiful, but the metaphors are no less vivid. Personal favorite was found in the first couple chapters of the book (maybe the first couple pages... I don't have my book in front of me):
The General spoke again, slowly, using his strength as carefully as an out-of-work showgirl uses her last good pair of stockings.I wish I could actually pull off talking like that, but alas! I am not Humphrey Bogart.
I loved the book by itself and for its own merits, but it often vividly reminded me of Calvin and Hobbes. I could (and probably will at some point) spend a LOT of time just waxing poetic about Bill Watterson's comic strip. (I don't like calling it a comic strip. It makes people take this trivial view of it. Calvin, Hobbes and Bill have all influenced my life greatly. There is a strip for almost every moment/event in my life up to this point. I am constantly being reminded of "that one strip from Calvin and Hobbes.) One of the great things about Calvin is that he, like Snoopy before him, has an incredible imagination (which is actually the premise of the strip, if you think about it). This imagination enables him to become other people entirely. The most famous of these characters is probably Spaceman Spiff, but my personal favorite is Tracer Bullet. The hardened private investigator who investigates such mysteries as math problems and who broke the lamp? Without going too crazy, here's a little taste of the Bullet himself:
Now, I've taken up enough of my time. I know I have a couple books left to review, but I'm stopping here... I am supposed to be working.
8.4.10
The Twenty-Third One
This week I have been revisiting one of my favorite directors (writers, producers):
What I like about Signs was everything my friends did not like. I like how the premise was not the story. Just because there are aliens in the movie, doesn't mean the movie is about aliens. It is about so much more than aliens. It is about a family floundering, trying to find their footing after facing a devastating loss. It is about ordinary people finding courage in extraordinary circumstances. It is about losing your faith and finding it again. It is about miracles.
The main character, Graham Hess (played by Mel Gibson), loses his faith when he loses his wife. The above quote is said by him during a conversation with his brother Merrill (played by Joaquin Phoenix). Afterwards, Merrill claims to be a "miracle man" and Graham, despite having been a Pastor of some sort, emphatically declares, "There is no one looking out for us. We are all alone." And the story progresses from there.
I couldn't decide which quotation best summarized what I believe is the primary theme of the story. I lean strongly toward the first one.
Again, after this movie came out there was an uproar among my friends for the same reason as with Signs. They wanted a monster movie, and what they got was a movie about people. That is what I find most spectacular about Shyamalan's movies, not the cinematography (which is beautiful) or the music (which is always, always perfect) but the fact that he seems to understand people; he truly seems to know peoples' reactions, motives, what causes them to rejoice and despair. His movies reflect this understanding and The Village is no exception.
By the time this movie came out I knew Shyamalan well enough to know there is always a twist. I can honestly say I did not see this twist coming. Joaquin Phoenix's character Lucius said it best when he pointed out to his mother (Sigourney Weaver) that "there are secrets in every corner of this village." These secrets lead to questionable decisions on the part of the elders, the ones in charge. They are secrets with the intent to do as the first quotation above states, to run toward hope and away from heartache. Their secrets keep them secure in their decisions until circumstances have them questioning themselves and risking everything.
Outstanding performances here by everyone, Phoenix (who I fell in love with in Signs), Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, really everyone was beautifully cast.
There are so many levels to this movie. There is the theme of self-discovery, good vs. evil, reconciliation, and love, be it romantic, paternal, platonic, whatever. All of this is set to the backdrop of comic books.
First of all, as a comic book fan myself, I love that they play such a vital role in the development of both the main characters, David Dunn played by Bruce Willis and Elijah Price played by Samuel L. Jackson.
That said, there are so many different relationships to explore in this movie. You have the strained, almost broken relationship between David and his wife Audrey (Robin Wright Penn), the relationship between David and his son (Spencer Treat Clark), the relationship between David and Elijah, and the relationship between Elijah and his mother (Charlaynne Woodard).
The confidence and strength of his mother helped to shape the person Elijah would become and Elijah in turn opens David's eyes to his own potential, to what is missing from his life. With David's new found self-awareness he is able to open himself up more to his family. I find it so interesting how greatly his relationships suffer simply because David does not know his place in this world. I also find this incredibly true to life, once again an insightful look at how people operate.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN
Every movie I have seen by him, I have loved. I'm just going to highlight my favorites/the ones I own. It is possible the following blurbs contain some spoilers. So, tread carefully.
"See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"When this movie first came out I remember a lot of friends going to see and coming back disappointed. They couldn't believe he showed the alien! It would have been way scarier if the aliens were never shown! My friends went to see this movie expecting an alien movie. With all the horror/slasher movies that have been inundating movie theaters for the past decade or so, Signs fell well beneath a lot of peoples expectations, because what they wanted was just another horror/slasher flick. I would have been disappointed as well.
What I like about Signs was everything my friends did not like. I like how the premise was not the story. Just because there are aliens in the movie, doesn't mean the movie is about aliens. It is about so much more than aliens. It is about a family floundering, trying to find their footing after facing a devastating loss. It is about ordinary people finding courage in extraordinary circumstances. It is about losing your faith and finding it again. It is about miracles.
The main character, Graham Hess (played by Mel Gibson), loses his faith when he loses his wife. The above quote is said by him during a conversation with his brother Merrill (played by Joaquin Phoenix). Afterwards, Merrill claims to be a "miracle man" and Graham, despite having been a Pastor of some sort, emphatically declares, "There is no one looking out for us. We are all alone." And the story progresses from there.
"We can move towards hope, that's what's beautiful about this place. We cannot run from heartache."
and
"Yes, I have risked! I hope I am always able to risk everything for the just and right cause."
I couldn't decide which quotation best summarized what I believe is the primary theme of the story. I lean strongly toward the first one.
Again, after this movie came out there was an uproar among my friends for the same reason as with Signs. They wanted a monster movie, and what they got was a movie about people. That is what I find most spectacular about Shyamalan's movies, not the cinematography (which is beautiful) or the music (which is always, always perfect) but the fact that he seems to understand people; he truly seems to know peoples' reactions, motives, what causes them to rejoice and despair. His movies reflect this understanding and The Village is no exception.
By the time this movie came out I knew Shyamalan well enough to know there is always a twist. I can honestly say I did not see this twist coming. Joaquin Phoenix's character Lucius said it best when he pointed out to his mother (Sigourney Weaver) that "there are secrets in every corner of this village." These secrets lead to questionable decisions on the part of the elders, the ones in charge. They are secrets with the intent to do as the first quotation above states, to run toward hope and away from heartache. Their secrets keep them secure in their decisions until circumstances have them questioning themselves and risking everything.
Outstanding performances here by everyone, Phoenix (who I fell in love with in Signs), Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, really everyone was beautifully cast.
"You know what the scariest thing is? To not know your place in this world. To not know why you're here."I say I love Unbreakable I get one of two looks. Either the person has no idea what movie I'm talking about, or the person is incredulous that I actually like it. But I don't like it, I love it.
There are so many levels to this movie. There is the theme of self-discovery, good vs. evil, reconciliation, and love, be it romantic, paternal, platonic, whatever. All of this is set to the backdrop of comic books.
First of all, as a comic book fan myself, I love that they play such a vital role in the development of both the main characters, David Dunn played by Bruce Willis and Elijah Price played by Samuel L. Jackson.
That said, there are so many different relationships to explore in this movie. You have the strained, almost broken relationship between David and his wife Audrey (Robin Wright Penn), the relationship between David and his son (Spencer Treat Clark), the relationship between David and Elijah, and the relationship between Elijah and his mother (Charlaynne Woodard).
The confidence and strength of his mother helped to shape the person Elijah would become and Elijah in turn opens David's eyes to his own potential, to what is missing from his life. With David's new found self-awareness he is able to open himself up more to his family. I find it so interesting how greatly his relationships suffer simply because David does not know his place in this world. I also find this incredibly true to life, once again an insightful look at how people operate.
23.3.10
The Twenty-Second One
Three movies I can watch and watch and watch and never tire of (aka. the default movie list):
The Princess Bride
The best thing about this movie: it's absolutely, perfectly cast. The actors and actresses truly inhabit the characters they portray. Everything about this movie is delightful. Including the book it's based on. Reading the book only made me appreciate the movie more.
Pride and Prejudice
I know some of you are thinking, "But wait! That's not the BBC miniseries!" And you would be correct. I love this movie even more than the miniseries. It includes all the best dialogue (the only part of Jane Austen's books I like) with some of the most beautiful cinematography I have ever seen. It is beautiful and fun and entirely charming.
Die Hard
If this wasn't a list of three, I would go ahead and add all (even Live Free or Die Hard) to the list as well. Love this movie. John McClane doesn't get old, ever.
27.2.10
The Twenty-First One
Or, the one where I finally succumb and post this on a blog instead of sending it out via email.
Or, the one with SPAIN!!!
Once upon a time, in January 2010, I made my first trek to Europe; specifically I visited Spain: Toledo and Madrid. And it was wonderful and beautiful and educational. I was fortunate enough to not have to pay for my hotel room (which was great) or my food (which was the very best part of the trip) and everywhere I went I had someone who knew the history of the area I was in. Let this blog serve as a record of my time there. You will see a lot of pictures of architecture, but not a lot of pictures of me. Here we go.
Welcome to Toledo: the first capital of Spain.
Toledo's location was chosen because of the excellent geographic location. As I asked my students: what did cities of old have to do to protect themselves? Answer: build walls. Toledo was built where it was built because of the river and gorges that surround it, providing natural protection. Consequently, they did not have to build a great big wall all the way around and yet there is still only one way in and out of the city.
No history lesson would be complete without some dates, so here's the one that I remember: 711. This is when the Moors conquered Spain. What does this mean for Toledo? Nothing bad actually. In fact, during this time, before the Christians took over again, Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived in relative peace and harmony together. So much so that this time period was called La Convivencia. You can see this coexistence in the architecture of the city. The Moors/Muslims used a lot of brickwork, the Christians used stones and the Jews didn't contribute a whole lot architecturally speaking, but they are responsible for the crazy, winding streets of the city. If you ever visit Toledo you must a) know where you are going, b) be with someone who knows where they are going, or c) not be afraid of getting lost. Because chances are you will.
As you look at the pictures of Toledo you may start asking yourself, "How many pictures of alleyways can one person take?" The answer to this is, of course, a lot. Way more than I am showing you here. You get the cream of the crop. Also, that tall spire you see in the background of some of the pictures is a beautiful cathedral that was a mosque that now is a cathedral again. It has the most amazing art and is a combination of many different styles of architecture because it is old. Something we don't know much about here in the United States: when a building is old enough to survive thousands of years, the building and art will reflect that history. I also was privileged to see many works by El Greco, who was not Spanish, but has since been adopted by the Spaniards because he was rejected by his own people. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take any pictures inside the cathedral. This worked out in my favor I think, because it meant all I had to do was listen and look and absorb. The world is a different place when you look at it through a lens, or in my case, an lcd viewscreen.
Welcome to Madrid: the current capital of Spain.
Otherwise known as the place where my eyes were opened to a history I never knew. It's not a history of a thousand years ago, but rather history from only 30 years ago. For me, this history was told best as I toured El Museo Sofia Reina and learned about the life and work of Pablo Picasso. Picasso lived in a time of amazing achievement. He was born when people were still using horses and buggies to get around and by the time he died man had made his way to the moon. His greatest work La Guernica was painted during a time in his country when the arts were as oppressed as the people. Learning about Picasso's life and what the Spanish people went through in such recent times almost, almost made me like his paintings. It certainly made me appreciate them anyway.
The museum didn't have the most extensive Picasso collection in the world. It was built for the sole reason to house La Guernica which Picasso vowed would never come back to Spain until his country was no longer under the rule of a dictator, until his people were free. La Guernica was kept in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City until 1992.
This is a contraband picture of La Guernica. Throughout the entire museum you could take pictures so long as you weren't using flash photography. In THIS room, which housed only the one painting (and some photographs of it while it was in-progress), you weren't allowed to take pictures at all. Unfortunately, they told us this by posting a small sign on the wall as you were coming into the room. A sign that is easily hidden by the bodies of people as they walk through the entryway. Long story short, I was yelled at, in Spanish, by a woman who took her job very, very seriously. It was very, very embarassing.
In case that's not enough art for you, I also went to the Prado where I was not allowed to take any photographs at all. Please enjoy a picture of the outside of the museum. It's in the top left corner.
I would also like to direct your attention to the building in the bottom right. This building, during Frando's rule, was a prison. Our tour guide said that her parents and grandparents can still remember walking in front of the building and hearing screams coming from the basement, from the prisoners who were being tortured. This is something the youth of Spain know nothing about. Talk about a generation gap.
And finally. The view of Madrid as seen from the window of my hotel room.
The End.
14.2.10
The Twentieth One
Or how Slylock Fox trumps Psych.
Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, I would read all about Slylock Fox and the mysteries that he solved with his little mouse friend, Max. Slylock and Max taught me many things.
Now that I am older, I get my mystery fix in other ways: books, movies, television. Television like: Psych. Psych is a wonderful show, one of the best out there. I love it dearly. But as I was watching it this past week there was an unfortunate, glaring mistake. [SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD]
At one point Gus and Sean were searching for a bullet in the woods. The bullet was shot many years ago and they just assumed it hit one of the trees. Gus proceeded to lecture Sean that he was looking too low and not accounting for tree growth.
Well, immediately I was aghast, for Slylock had taught me years ago that trees do not grow like that. They grow upward from the tips of their branches, downward from the tips of their roots, and outward from the outside of their... bark. Meaning any mark you make on a tree now will be at the same height years from now. It's how Slylock and Max knew Count Weirdly was lying about... something.
Having the information that I had, I instantly googled (Googled?) "How trees grow" to see who was correct. Turns out, Slylock was right all along and Sean and Gus were completely and utterly wrong.
I still love Psych, Sean, Gus and the whole gang. But apparently the writers did not do their research well enough, nor did they read the Slylock Fox section of their Sunday newspapers as thoroughly as they should have. They should have paid better attention to that wiley fox detective.
That said, my brother and I successfully dominated at Trivial Pursuit on the Wii last night, coming back from behind during normal play to WIN IT ALL and awesoming it up during the movie version to win by, oh I don't know, THREE WEDGES. Thank you, thank you very much. And a special thanks to imdb for making that last one possible.
For more Psych
For more Slylock
Now that I am older, I get my mystery fix in other ways: books, movies, television. Television like: Psych. Psych is a wonderful show, one of the best out there. I love it dearly. But as I was watching it this past week there was an unfortunate, glaring mistake. [SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD]
At one point Gus and Sean were searching for a bullet in the woods. The bullet was shot many years ago and they just assumed it hit one of the trees. Gus proceeded to lecture Sean that he was looking too low and not accounting for tree growth.
Having the information that I had, I instantly googled (Googled?) "How trees grow" to see who was correct. Turns out, Slylock was right all along and Sean and Gus were completely and utterly wrong.
I still love Psych, Sean, Gus and the whole gang. But apparently the writers did not do their research well enough, nor did they read the Slylock Fox section of their Sunday newspapers as thoroughly as they should have. They should have paid better attention to that wiley fox detective.
That said, my brother and I successfully dominated at Trivial Pursuit on the Wii last night, coming back from behind during normal play to WIN IT ALL and awesoming it up during the movie version to win by, oh I don't know, THREE WEDGES. Thank you, thank you very much. And a special thanks to imdb for making that last one possible.
For more Psych
For more Slylock
29.1.10
The Nineteenth One
As anyone who could possibly be reading this blog knows, I have a problem holding myself accountable. This is why, even though I have had the blog for years, I only have 19 posts. It's also why I didn't make my summer reading goal.
Always in an attempt to hold myself more accountable, I make lists. To-do lists, to-read lists, to-watch lists, it doesn't matter. Up until this point (this point right here, right now) I have refrained from making any virtual lists. Naturally, it's because I am afraid if it is published in cyberspace and I don't complete the list, then I will be judged by the few, faceless individuals that might occasionally visit. But then I figured you were all judging me anyway, so I am throwing caution to the wind and actually (gasp!) writing a list right here, right now.
I call this list the "Books-owned-but-not-read-until-year-2010" list. These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head, I am sure there's more. (The ones with asterisks are partially read.)
Always in an attempt to hold myself more accountable, I make lists. To-do lists, to-read lists, to-watch lists, it doesn't matter. Up until this point (this point right here, right now) I have refrained from making any virtual lists. Naturally, it's because I am afraid if it is published in cyberspace and I don't complete the list, then I will be judged by the few, faceless individuals that might occasionally visit. But then I figured you were all judging me anyway, so I am throwing caution to the wind and actually (gasp!) writing a list right here, right now.
I call this list the "Books-owned-but-not-read-until-year-2010" list. These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head, I am sure there's more. (The ones with asterisks are partially read.)
- Fluke* by Christopher Moore
- Lullaby* by Chuck Palahniuk
- What-the-Dickens* by Gregory Maguire
- Book Thief* by Markus Zusak
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- Dracula* by Bram Stoker
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
There are more, I know there are more, I simply cannot think of them. I will republish this as I am able to cross them out. Maybe somday I will learn how to cross things out virtually. Or maybe I'll put them in another color. We will see.
7.1.10
The Eighteenth One
My book list for the upcoming year is a long one, but then it always is. Coming off the holiday season, however, I am turning my attention away from literature to the wonderful world of cinema.
Holiday Movie Treat #1: Nine.
This movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, and Judi Dench. Every one of them delivers.
It is a musical from the director of Chicago, but don't go expecting to see another Chicago. There are two musical numbers that are reminiscent of the other musicals. They are big, choreographed scenes, but for the most part Nine is a more intimate and introspective movie. Almost all the songs are sung by one person to another person, or one person to himself as the case may be. Even the songs with a larger chorus really only have the intended audience of a single person. It is a musical about the Italian director Guido Contini and the characters, settings, events, and songs almost literally revolve around him.
Contini is played by Daniel Day-Lewis, who continues to be unrecognizable to me. Every movie I see him in I have to look twice because he never looks the same or sounds the same or acts the same. He plays a conceited, self-centered jerk in the film, but the way he plays Contini, the audience doesn't end up judging him as much as they pity him.
All the women are wonderful. All of them. But the standout actress of the film: Cotillard. This is the first movie I have seen her in and I found her captivating. I can't wait to see her other roles.
Holiday Movie Treat #2: The Blind Side
What a sweet, heart-warming movie. Who new Hollywood could make such a family-friendly movie with a good story AND good acting. Sandra Bullock is totally believable in her role as a confident, pushy Southern belle, who takes in a struggling kid from "the other side of town." I know that it's based on a true story, and if the real Mrs. Tuohy is half the woman Bullock portrays (and I am sure that she is probably twice the woman) then she is a force to be reckoned with.
As a final note: Before I saw the movie I doubted there was any actress out there I believed would walk out on a football field and tell those football players how it's done. With Sandra Bullock, I totally bought it.
Holiday Movie Treat #3: Sherlock Holmes
At first I was apprehensive about the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes with so many explosions and fist fights, but then I re-read some of the stories, and decided that Holmes lends himself easily as an action hero. Plus, he really was a pugilist. So there's that.
Robert Downey Jr. has be a favorite of mine since I first saw American Air with Mel Gibson, so I am very excited about his recent "come back." He is as wonderful here as I expected he would be. The real surprise for me was Jude Law, whose performances have never particularly impressed me. He gave a depth and appeal to Watson that I had never considered.
The movie was enjoyable and entertaining and bears owning someday. Of course I have always been a sucker for stories about best friends, and despite the love interests for both Sherlock and Watson, this is at its core a story about SherlockandWatson. I have a friend who firmly believes that "soul mate" does not have to refer to a romantic love, but rather an enduring love in an enduring relationship, whether or not the two people involved are romantically involved. I have always been inclined to agree with her; this movie clinched it for me.
Holiday Movie Treat #1: Nine.
This movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, and Judi Dench. Every one of them delivers.
It is a musical from the director of Chicago, but don't go expecting to see another Chicago. There are two musical numbers that are reminiscent of the other musicals. They are big, choreographed scenes, but for the most part Nine is a more intimate and introspective movie. Almost all the songs are sung by one person to another person, or one person to himself as the case may be. Even the songs with a larger chorus really only have the intended audience of a single person. It is a musical about the Italian director Guido Contini and the characters, settings, events, and songs almost literally revolve around him.
Contini is played by Daniel Day-Lewis, who continues to be unrecognizable to me. Every movie I see him in I have to look twice because he never looks the same or sounds the same or acts the same. He plays a conceited, self-centered jerk in the film, but the way he plays Contini, the audience doesn't end up judging him as much as they pity him.
All the women are wonderful. All of them. But the standout actress of the film: Cotillard. This is the first movie I have seen her in and I found her captivating. I can't wait to see her other roles.
Holiday Movie Treat #2: The Blind Side
What a sweet, heart-warming movie. Who new Hollywood could make such a family-friendly movie with a good story AND good acting. Sandra Bullock is totally believable in her role as a confident, pushy Southern belle, who takes in a struggling kid from "the other side of town." I know that it's based on a true story, and if the real Mrs. Tuohy is half the woman Bullock portrays (and I am sure that she is probably twice the woman) then she is a force to be reckoned with.
As a final note: Before I saw the movie I doubted there was any actress out there I believed would walk out on a football field and tell those football players how it's done. With Sandra Bullock, I totally bought it.
Holiday Movie Treat #3: Sherlock Holmes
At first I was apprehensive about the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes with so many explosions and fist fights, but then I re-read some of the stories, and decided that Holmes lends himself easily as an action hero. Plus, he really was a pugilist. So there's that.
Robert Downey Jr. has be a favorite of mine since I first saw American Air with Mel Gibson, so I am very excited about his recent "come back." He is as wonderful here as I expected he would be. The real surprise for me was Jude Law, whose performances have never particularly impressed me. He gave a depth and appeal to Watson that I had never considered.
The movie was enjoyable and entertaining and bears owning someday. Of course I have always been a sucker for stories about best friends, and despite the love interests for both Sherlock and Watson, this is at its core a story about SherlockandWatson. I have a friend who firmly believes that "soul mate" does not have to refer to a romantic love, but rather an enduring love in an enduring relationship, whether or not the two people involved are romantically involved. I have always been inclined to agree with her; this movie clinched it for me.
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