Touching Paper

Les Misérables

2011-09-24T21:20:00.000-06:00

The story of life

and all of its struggles through

one criminal's eyes

"So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilization, artificially creates hells on earth, and complicates a destiny that is divine, with human fatality; so long as the three problems of the age — the degradation of man by poverty, the ruin of woman by starvation, and the dwarfing of childhood by physical and spiritual night — are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a yet more extended point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless." This is the preface that Hugo wrote for the book...how can you ignore something so profound?

While I wouldn't suggest reading the unabridged version, I'll admit I feel a sort of pride that I did. (The bad pride, not the good kind.) I would have preferred however, to finish it in less than two years... This book offers a beautiful look at a life that is filled with mistakes and trying desperately to atone for them. I don't see how anyone could not love Jean Valjean. And if you think you don't have time to read the book, then at least see the musical. I hear it's great. *weep weep* (PG-13)

Robinson Crusoe

2011-09-05T13:04:00.005-06:00

Daniel Defoe, 1719

The shipwrecked Crusoe

discovers an island and

cannibals lurking

Growing up I thought the Disney equivalent, Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N. starring Dick Van Dyke, was the actual story of Robinson Crusoe. I'd say I was pretty confused for the majority of my childhood. It's not surprising, considering I told my 4th grade PE teacher that I couldn't run because my "independix" was going to burst. Good on me, confusing freedom and volatile body parts.

The real story of Robinson Crusoe was interesting enough (and a little like Castaway without the volleyball) as the main character is extremely resourceful. And although he deems those unaware of Christianity as being mere heathens (which I guess was the thing at the time) I see the book as showing how thankful we should be for our blessings, and that even in times of extreme trial there is always something we can be grateful for. (PG)

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

2011-05-30T14:14:00.013-06:00

Kate Douglas Wiggin, 1903

Sent to live with her
spinster aunts, Rebecca is
forced to grow up fast

I remember that I've read this story before, but I liked it better when it was called Anne of Green Gables. Not that Wiggin could have been influenced by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables wasn't published until 1908, so I guess it's possible that it was the other way around...). It's just that the plots are so similar, with one exception: Anne is more interesting. Rebecca's not a horrible character; she's quirky and curious, but still feels like a simple characterization.

Rebecca is also not an orphan like Anne, but instead has been sent by her mother to live with her wealthy (and stodgy) aunts who have agreed to provide her with an education. A bright child, Rebecca quickly excels in her classes and charms people throughout the surrounding towns, including an adult male who seems to develop feelings for her as she grows older. That might be a stretch, as it seems a tad strange, but hey, who am I to judge 1903. (G)

Pollyanna

2011-05-30T13:56:00.005-06:00

Eleanor H. Porter, 1913

The hearts of one town
are changed forever just by
learning to be glad

This is one instance where I have to claim that the film adaptation was better than the book. In fact, I was "glad" I had seen the movie version, or I probably wouldn't have liked the book as much as I did. I found the characters more relatable in the film and the story more interesting overall. In the book the characters felt a little flat, even forced and a little silly at times.

In the end though, the same message was plainly showcased: that looking for the good in all things can truly make hard times bearable. It's about the importance of optimism, of finding the positive and learning to accept that our lives are what we make of them and how we choose to live them can make a huge difference in determining how happy we really are. (G)

King Lear

2011-05-30T13:44:00.004-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1606

It's stories like this
that help me realize how

sane my family is

I can't lie and say that I was completely excited about reading this play. I know it's one of Shakespeare's most well-known tragedies, but I just wasn't feeling it. I do however have a new appreciation for the name Cordelia, as before I only associated the name with Charisma Carpenter's character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The name Regan also stands out, and I can see why it would have been chosen for the main character in The Exorcist.

My first conclusion about this story was that this family was seriously messed up. But I've come to realize that the issue isn't only with King Lear's daughters, or a screwed-up family dynamic necessarily, but it is a reflection on people as a whole. Sure the family had their issues, but there were so many other people involved, and the idea of this sort of deviancy running rampant in Shakespeare's society really doesn't show any kind of improvement on our society's part. (PG-13)

The Wind in the Willows

2011-05-30T13:39:00.003-06:00

Kenneth Grahame, 1908

Mole, Rat, and Badger

band together to help save
their friend Mr. Toad

Although I was familiar with the characters and the main plot, I found the story hard to follow, and I was easily distracted while reading. The storyline didn't seem to be completely linear, and it felt at times like the chapters jumped in and out of the plot. I found the characters engaging and the main plot fun, but it was the side chapters that confused me. I couldn't see that they were related at all to the book.

Toad is definitely the most interesting and intriguing of the characters; totally self-involved and irrational. It's laughable to imagine a toad dressed in a bonnet and dress trying to pass himself off as a washerwoman, and his obsession with "motorcars" is hilarious as he never can fully comprehend the importance of safety. Disney's animated adaptation The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad perfectly portrays the four main characters. (G)

The Eyre Affair

2011-05-30T13:34:00.005-06:00

Jasper Fforde, 2001

In another time
and another place, Jane Eyre
will change forever

First off, I love the idea of this book. I think it's super creative and original and I was excited to start reading, with hopes for a well-developed story that would pull me in. It didn't happen though. Instead I felt lost for most of the book, waiting for the unifying element of Jane Eyre to be incorporated into the plot. Other than a few brief mentionings of Mr. Rochester, the story of Jane Eyre is not brought into focus until the last fourth of the book.

Not only did I find the story disappointing, but I felt the main character lacked major development. At times reminiscent of Agent Olivia Dunham from Fringe, the majority of the time she responded too immaturely for a professional in her mid-30's. The story's ending was so forcibly wrapped up in an all-too-convenient manner that my frustration lies not only with the random mess of the plot, but with the fact that I held out such hope that Fforde could pull it off. I would have rated this PG-13, but one chapter randomly has several F-words. (R)

Don Quixote

2011-05-30T13:15:00.006-06:00

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, 1604

Crazy or sane? But
who really has the right to
decide what is sane?

It's taken me forever to finish this, it seems, that I can't even remember when I actually started. I'm guessing it was about a year ago, which just writing that makes me ill. I knew it was going to be a lengthy process, but I'm proud to say that I've read the entire book; all 126 chapters. Although not entirely engaging the whole way through, overall, it had an interesting story, and definitely proved to be a classic at times.

I wouldn't normally do this, because I like to keep my posts pretty short, but after a year of reading, I feel I just need to showcase a few great samples of Cervantes' skills.

“Sleep thou who art born to sleep, or do as thou wilt, for I will act as I think most consistent with my character.” (Don Quixote)

“...as printed works are examined leisurely, their faults are easily seen; and the greater the fame of the writer, the more closely are they scrutinised. Men famous for their genius, great poets, illustrious historians, are always, or most commonly, envied by those who take a particular delight and pleasure in criticising the writings of others, without having produced any of their own.” (Samson Carrasco)

"...it is no wonder my words are taken for nonsense; but no matter; I understand myself, and I know I have not said anything very foolish in what I have said; only your worship, senor, is always gravelling at everything I say, nay, everything I do." (Sancho Panza)
"Cavilling, not gravelling," said Don Quixote, "thou prevaricator of honest language, God confound thee!"

"...indignities offered to their charms and self-esteem mightily provoke the anger of women and make them eager for revenge."

Also included in the narrative is a beautiful poem by Luigi Tansillo called "Tears of Saint Peter".

I will never read this book again, and I would assume that most people won't read it at all, but if you feel so inclined, I couldn't not recommend it. (PG)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

2011-03-10T21:23:00.003-07:00

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1892

With Doctor Watson
by his side, the mysteries
of England are solved

There's a great working relationship between Holmes and Watson that not only lends itself to solving mysteries, but to clever interplay of dialogue. Truthfully though, Watson does little to actually solve anything, other than provide constant moral support to his friend. Holmes' genius is a product of who knows what: possibly drugs, ADD, or a combination of the two.

It was great to read this having seen the recent film adaptation with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, as I could instantly believe the way Holmes talked and behaved. Quirky to the core, and slightly incapable of connecting emotionally with those around him, his heightened senses and keen observational skills provide for fast-paced adventures and unparalleled wit. (PG)

Eat, Pray, Love

2011-03-10T21:21:00.002-07:00

Elizabeth Gilbert, 2006

A divorced tourist
discovers pleasure, peace, and
love through her travels

A sort of last-minute book club choice, I was kind of excited to read a modern autobiography, as I've been a little caught up in the 19th century lately. And although she's somewhat raunchy and vulgar at times, Elizabeth Gilbert is a phenomenal writer. She could be writing about the most tedious experience (which may or may not include the "India" portion of her book) and I would still find her voice completely captivating.

She has a way of describing a location, or a meal, or an occurrence that gives me the ability to smell, taste, and feel my way through a book, which supposedly is one of the marks of a good writer; and yet with some of the modern fiction I've read lately, I'm not quite sure that many of those are actually still in existence. Someone please...prove me wrong. (R)

Heidi

2011-03-10T21:17:00.002-07:00

Johanna Spyri, 1880

An innocent girl
brings light to her grandfather's

life in the mountains

It's not an uncommon story: the young orphan girl coming to live with older relatives and suddenly brings happiness back into their lives. These girls are often a bit mischievous (Anne Shirley, Pollyanna Whittier, etc.) and maybe even silly at times, but in the end they win over the hearts of not only their adopted family, but also everyone else they come in contact with.

However well-worn the plot, I will probably always enjoy these stories. They are simple and happy, but at the same time remind readers of what it's like to be a child again and how one person really can have a profound impact on the lives of others. Such a profound impact in fact, that I remember actually wanting to be an orphan at one time during my childhood. (G)

Rebecca

2011-03-10T21:15:00.005-07:00

Daphne du Maurier, 1938

At Manderley there
are disturbing secrets that
threaten happiness

Though I can agree that du Maurier is one heck of an author, I can't disguise the fact that I felt let down upon completion of her classic novel. I was waiting for something big to happen (and it did), but I was ultimately confused by the actions of some major characters. I'm not claiming to know better than the author, but there were quite a few things that just didn't seem to fit.

Or maybe they fit so well that it made me uncomfortable. I'm sure I'm not the first person to admit that they expect others to behave a certain way, or feels they can predict a reaction, but i was just so off in my assumptions. I guess I want to feel that these characters are atypical, because the alternative would be that I am surrounded by sociopaths. (PG-13)

Fables

2011-03-10T21:12:00.005-07:00

Æsop, Unknown

So many stories
told and retold help children
remember lessons

I think there are more of Æsop's fables that we don't attribute to him than we're aware of. I remember we had Æsop's book (probably abridged) as a child, and I always just thought his name was weird and the pictures were kind of creepy. But I had other books that retold his stories with prettier pictures and happier colors, and those are the ones that I remember the most. An obvious aesthetician from birth.

I realize now that I never knew Æsop had any part in the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", or "The Tortoise and the Hare", and I was completely unaware that he is the genius behind the adage of not counting chickens before they hatch. I found some of his morals to be personally enlightening, most notably from "Androcles" that "Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." I'd like to be more noble. (G)

White Fang

2011-03-10T21:08:00.003-07:00

Jack London, 1906

Raised to fight, White Fang
learns to change his ways through a

new master's kindness

I enjoyed reading The Call of the Wild, another of London's novels, and I remembered vaguely the film White Fang starring a young Ethan Hawke; it was only natural I should read the book as well. I knew it would be good (and I was right) mainly because Jack London is a consistently great writer. He's one of the more descriptive authors that make you feel like all of your senses are actually working.

The one thing I will say, is that it took a long time to get to the positive, more happy part of the story. The majority was pretty sad and distressing, as this wolf-dog is abandoned and mistreated. Not that I can't endure difficult topics, but being as descriptive as he is, there are several scenes where dogs are killed, and small animals caught and eaten that had my poor vegetarian heart begging for reprieve. (PG)

Breathless

2011-03-10T21:05:00.002-07:00

Dean Koontz, 2009

Written to thrill, the
only thrilling part was how
fast I finished it

My brother and I both finished this book over Christmas break. When he finished I got a text from him that read: Breathless? More like Pointless... Sadly, I felt the same. I had had high hopes, knowing Dean Koontz to be a prolific writer of thrillers, but I felt more like I'd been messed with; like I was supposed to care, but couldn't really find a reason to.

I'm not saying the book was awful, just that I was disappointed by the mechanics the author employed. I was totally interested for most of the way, but by the last 25% I could tell that I was not going to get the ending I felt had been promised to me. New plotlines were introduced way too late in the book, and the wrap-up on major plotlines proved to be giant letdowns. (R)

The Sign of the Beaver

2011-03-10T21:02:00.003-07:00

Elizabeth George Speare, 1983

Matt learns to survive
alone in the woods when he
befriends Indians

A Newberry Honor Book, this young adult novel is based on a true story the author discovered about a young boy left alone in the woods who was befriended by Native Americans. Reminiscent maybe of The Jungle Book, or Robinson Crusoe, it is a well-presented story of two cultures learning to respect each other, and two strangers learning to live as brothers.

Matt's father leaves him alone in the Maine wilderness to watch the new cabin they have built, while he goes to fetch the rest of the family. Matt soon meets some local indians, who he teaches to read in return for lessons on survival in the woods. Matt's father is gone longer than expected, leaving him to decide if he should stay and wait for his family, or move on with the tribe. (G)

The Crucible

2011-03-10T20:55:00.002-07:00

Arthur Miller, 1953

Sometimes the only
thing that a man has left in

this world is his name

I've read this before, seen the film several times, the play once, and even written a paper on the play's underlying themes...so it should come as no surprise to learn that I consider this one of the most fascinating stories ever written. This most recent read was done in about two hours on a Saturday. I thought I would just read a little, but I couldn't put it down; there was never a comfortable place to leave off at.

Miller has a way of pulling you into a story, that even though you feel sick to your stomach, the masochist within you demands that you keep reading. It's horrible and wonderful at the same time, giving into this morbid desire to torment ourselves with a hopelessly tragic story. And yet I feel that everyone should experience this at some time. (PG-13)

The Old Man & the Sea

2011-01-29T16:46:00.003-07:00

Ernest Hemingway, 1952

Santiago meets
his adversary in the
form of a marlin

I am at once ashamed and proud to admit that this is the first book of Hemingway's that I've read. I figured if Manny could read The Old Man and the Sea, then I could sure read it. And although I've had many friends tell me how tedious Hemingway could be, I didn't find this novel hard to get through, despite the lack of chapters to break up the monotony. Also it could have something to do with it only being about 100 pages.

Most of the story takes place at sea, from Santiago's point of view. (Santiago is the Old Man, in case you were wondering.) As he struggles against nature, desperate to get his catch back to port, one can't help feeling emotional over his situation, and wishing they could help this poor, pitiful man. Something about old men always makes me want to cry and give them a hug. (PG)

Romeo & Juliet

2011-01-29T16:42:00.003-07:00

William Shakespeare, 1597

Desperate times should
never call for such extreme
measures of resolve

Surprisingly, I was never assigned to read this in high school, and after reading it now, I'm not quite sure if it's a good idea to give teenagers access to materials about suicidal lovers. It's truly the quintessential Shakespearean tragedy, but it's not my favorite, and I think the story's pretty messed up. Love at first sight, and then running off the next day and getting married in secret is fast even for me, especially considering the family blood fued.

I like to think of myself as a romantic, but I hate the idea of both of them feeling they had to die if they couldn't be together. To me that's not romance, it's just idiotic. But I don't know, maybe the times that we live in now really are that different from theirs. I'm thankful for modern film though, because I feel that Shakespeare in Love is the best (and least depressing) portrayal of this classic tween drama. (PG-13)

Winnie-the-Pooh

2011-01-29T16:33:00.006-07:00

A.A. Milne, 1926

A little stuffed bear
and his adventures in the

Hundred Acre Wood

This sweet collection of stories was made even sweeter when I learned that A.A. Milne had written it for his son, Christopher Robin. Of course, his son had these stuffed toys, most notably Pooh, and the stories came to life from there. Disney has done a great job of bringing these characters to life, and Sterling Holloway as the original voice of Pooh couldn't be any more perfect. "I'm a little black raincloud, of course."

It was a little sad that Tigger was not a part of the original collection of stories, as he is a dynamic character and more interesting than some of the others (fill in your own blanks). Probably the only real surprising element was how much of a punk Eeyore was. He was always gloomy and depressed in the cartoons, but I never felt like he was using it to his advantage. He was definitely fishing for sympathy and attention. Almost like an emotional hypochondriac. (G)

Treasure Island

2011-01-29T16:23:00.004-07:00

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1883

Young Jim Hawkins, in
search of treasure, becomes a
brave and fearless man

This was Stevenson's first success and there's a great story that goes along with it. His stepson one day was making a map, which Stevenson soon embellished to become a treasure map. Along with the map, stories were spun, and with his family's help and suggestions, he began writing Treasure Island. Some of the story was even written by family members. It wasn't long before a children's publisher picked it up chapter by chapter.

I love the story of how the novel came to be, but I'm also fascinated by how much the descriptions of pirate life have permeated our modern idea of the buccaneer. From X-marked treasure maps to one-legged pirates, and parrots on shoulders, Stevenson's inventions have influenced writers and filmmakers for years. Disney lovers be grateful, for without Long John Silver, there probably would not be a Jack Sparrow. (PG)

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

2011-01-29T16:14:00.002-07:00

C.S. Lewis, 1950

Who would suspect that
Turkish Delight could cause such
a heap of troubles

I remember a strange animated adaptation of this story that creeped me out as a kid, and that might be why it took me twenty-eight years to read this simple little classic. You can definitely see similarities between Lewis and Tolkien (who were friends), although I feel like Lewis was able to break things up a little better. (100 pages is a lot easier to swallow than 400.)

While I found the story entertaining, I felt the characters lacked depth. It read more like a children's story than the religious allegory I've been told it is (though the religious symbolism is quite obvious). I wanted to know more about Aslan and the White Witch; my best bet is probably to bite the bullet and read the full Chronic-'what'-cles of Narnia. (PG)

Through the Looking-Glass

2011-01-29T09:52:00.004-07:00

Lewis Carroll, 1871

Alice finds herself
once again in a strange land
of her own making

The continuation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice this time meets the Red Queen and the White Queen, as well as Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I would guess these few to be the most memorable characters from Carroll's second Alice story, but for the most part, the first story was definitely the more interesting of the two.

From film adaptations, I was expecting the Jabberwock to actually appear, but he is only mentioned in a text that Alice reads. Well-known poems include "Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter". As the first story appears to have been a dream, this story seems to come completely from Alice's imagination when she is wide awake. (G)

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2011-01-29T09:49:00.004-07:00

Mitch Albom, 2003

Death comes suddenly
and sometimes brings with it life
lessons we must learn

A novel by the author of Tuesdays With Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is an interesting take on what happens when people die. The idea is that five people come and explain your life to you, helping you to understand why things happened, and to help you make sense of things. Some of the people you may never have met, but they somehow played a significant role in your life.

While my religious beliefs differ from this idea of heaven, I didn't have any trouble just enjoying the book as fiction and an intriguing story, and I didn't feel like the author was pushing some new theology. In fact, he states in a dedication that his book was written to show people that may feel that their lives are unimportant how profound an effect they have on those around them, and that all of our stories are connected. (PG-13)

The Secret Garden

2011-01-29T09:42:00.004-07:00

Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911

Mary and Dickon
help Colin discover a
longing to survive

Mary, a spoiled orphan raised in India, comes to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, who she never sees. The story uses the symbol of the garden to showcase the ability of the central characters to find life again, even when it seems impossible. Not only does Mary change, but she finds a way to spread the magic of rejuvenation to her uncle and cousin.

I love Mary, but the best character really is Dickon, the boy who lives on the moor and can talk to animals and plants. He seems like kind of a goober with his strong Yorkshire accent, and his animal friends climbing all over him, but he is the one who convinces Mary and Collin that there is magic to be found in nature, and that it is a part of all of us. (G)

Death of a Salesman

2011-01-29T09:31:00.003-07:00

Arthur Miller, 1949

Attainable goals
may seem pathetic, but you'll
likely have success

Long before reading this, I saw the scene from Seinfeld where George is compared to Biff Loman, who he describes as "the biggest loser in the history of American literature." This description isn't far off. But I honestly feel that the bigger loser would be his father, Willy. I realize he's the main character, but he's more of an antagonist than anything. Willy's focus is his job, but his real failure in life was as a parent.

He consistently built his sons up to believe that it was more important for them to be popular than for them to work hard. He encouraged stealing and cheating because he thought they could get away with anything if people liked them. He failed to teach them respect. Biff discovers his father's adultery suddenly one night, and this, I would say, has the most profound effect on their relationship. Willy never had his priorities straight. (PG-13)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

2011-01-29T09:24:00.006-07:00

Ian Fleming, 1964

Life would be so much
better if we all had our
own magical car

Actually, I'd rather not everyone have a magical car. Just me. It's a totally selfish desire, I know, but too bad. I was pretty sad when I started the book and realized that Caractacus Potts was married...and not to Truly Scrumptious! What's that about? Truly is the best part of the movie, so to have her replaced by "Mimsy" was disappointing to say the least. (Mimsy's character's pretty dull, so I can see why they made Potts a widower in the film.)

It's a fun little story though, (although Truly Scrumptious would have spiced things up a bit) this cute little family bumbling over the English coast in their flying/sailing car and foiling criminals. And although I was sad about Truly, I was quite relieved that the creepster child catcher was not a part of the book. Just a simple children's story from the creator of James Bond. (G)

The Odyssey

2010-12-04T09:31:00.004-07:00

Homer, ca. 8th century BC

Odysseus finds
it more than difficult for

him to return home

Apparently the only version of The Odyssey that is available to read online is the Roman version, so I spent quite a few chapters wondering who the heck Ulysses was. (Roman is to Greek as Ulysses is to Odysseus). Like I'm supposed to be up on my Roman/Greek counterparts? Either way, Ulysses/Odysseus is not my favorite character. He's arrogant to the point of endangering his men, and still doesn't seem to give a hoot.

And although he's been gone for about twenty years, he doesn't always seem in such a hurry to get home. He shacks up with Circe for a full "twelvemonth" before he decides it's about time to be setting off. And when he finally does get back to Ithaca, he gets revenge. And I'm not talking about toilet-papering some houses; I'm talking straight-up Mel Gibson in The Patriot with the hatchet: major bloodbath. A little nuts? I think so. (PG-13)

As You Like It

2010-12-04T09:18:00.005-07:00

William Shakespeare, 1599

Rosalind dresses
as a man to hide herself
and win her true love

I remember this as the play that was used to mirror the situation in Never Been Kissed. Although Orlando and Rosalind were not teacher and student...tsk tsk. Not really a classic Shakespearean read for high school students, but Michael Vartan was a pretty hip teacher, all falling in love with students in disguise and crap. Reading this though solved a little mystery for me, as I finally recognized what Gene Wilder was singing in Willy Wonka while he's riding the bike.

Famous speeches abound; make sure you read the section by Jaques that contains "All the world's a stage ". And the third act plays out nicely; I'd love to see this performed. I don't necessarily get the whole Oliver and Celia love at first sight thing, but that's ok. Rosalind absolutely fits in with the rest of Shakespeare's female leads, being about as spunky and clever as they come. (PG)

Our Town

2010-12-04T09:14:00.004-07:00

Thornton Wilder, 1938

The Gibbs & the Webbs
are intertwined forever
by love & by loss

In a playwriting class in college we watched a recording of this play, and I remember feeling just as emotional then as I did laying on my couch reading on Saturday morning. Of course this may have something to do with my hormones being out of control at the moment, but I really feel like Wilder has a way ot letting the reader get inside his head. Almost as if he himself was talking outloud, trying to work out his own existence.

The play portrays everyday people leading normal lives, and yet they come to represent much more as the audience familiarizes themselves and recognizes similarities that we all share. Most people, I think, fit into the 'everyman' category, and so it plays out as a sort of exhibition of life itself and allows each person to explore their own fears and their own insecurities. It's well-written and applicable even seventy years later. (PG)

Harvey

2010-12-04T09:11:00.004-07:00

Mary Chase, 1944

At some point in life
it's likely that most of us
will see white rabbits

I feel like I say this a lot, but I'm not quite sure what to make of this play. It was funny, I guess, but I'm a little lost as to the point. And yes, I'm looking for a point. Always. Was it simply meant as a light-hearted comedy? I was expecting more with it winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Imagining Jimmy Stewart in the lead (because I knew he had starred in a film adaptation) helped a little, but I was ultimately unable to fully enjoy myself.

Elwood P. Dowd, who is "friends" with a six-foot white rabbit, is taken to an asylum by his sister who is embarassed by his behavior. It seems though, that by the end of the play, others can see "Harvey" the rabbit as well. It's possible the ultimate statement is that we're all a little crazy, but the conclusion of the play seemed to wrap itself up way too fast. The significance here is definitely lost on me. (PG)

Driving Miss Daisy

2010-12-04T09:07:00.002-07:00

Alfred Uhry, 1987

At first, Miss Daisy
refuses Hoke's help, but time
forges a strong bond

It's obvious from the beginning that Miss Daisy Werthan is a handful. She's a feisty Southern Jewish woman in her early 70's and she is determined to do everything for herself. Problems occur, naturally, when her son Boolie hires an African-American chauffeur named Hoke to drive his mother. The back-and-forth between these two characters lends itself to fresh dialogue and a fascinating dynamic.

This Pulitzer Prize-winner is pretty short, but in a small amount of time is able to show an honesty that doesn't normally exist in modern writing. These two people, thrust together, build a friendship over many years that is so significant because of their many differences. Some of the best stories show people who are completely separated by circumstance and situation becoming a family. (PG)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

2010-12-04T08:59:00.004-07:00

Mark Twain, 1876

Tom & Huck witness
a murder & find themselves
in grave jeopardy

After reading Huck Finn I was expecting a little more from this book. I guess my mistake came from reading them out of chronological order. Thank you Lizzy, for helping me understand why Tom Sawyer might have had a little less depth to its message. It's basically just a simple mystery story. In fact the deepest thing in this book is probably the Mississippi River.

In truth, I'm not a fan of Tom at all. He's much more obnoxious than Huckleberry, and kind of a brat. (Maybe it's just that age group that I'm not a fan of...) I'm not saying that I don't enjoy the book; it's a fun story and Injun Joe makes a terriffic villain (scenes involving Injun Joe can get a tad grisly), but I would suggest people read Huck Finn over Tom Sawyer. The only "Tom Sawyer" that everyone should experience is the song by Rush. (PG)

Much Ado About Nothing

2010-12-04T08:50:00.004-07:00

William Shakespeare, 1599

False accusations
never seem to work out as
good as they do here

This is my favorite Shakespeare play. Hands down. There's a great drama surrounding Claudio & Hero, but the best parts involve Beatrice & Benedick. It manages to be heartbreaking & distressing, and also witty & romantic at the same time. Probably some of the best written dialogue between a male and female lead, and Benedick is by far the most clever of Shakespeare's heroes.

The film with Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson is phenomenal. No exaggeration. There's so much about it that's great: KB & ET have amazing chemistry (they were married at the time), Robert Sean Leonard is beautiful as always, Michael Keaton (the best of the old Batmans), & Denzel speaking anything Shakespeare = cool. Three things to overlook: Kate Beckinsale's eyebrows, Keanu Reeves (obviously), & a plethora of naked bottoms in the opening credits. ...I'm just saying. (PG-13)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

2010-12-04T08:44:00.004-07:00

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886

My father thinks that
Jekyll is a glorified
form of drug addict

I saw the musical version titled Jekyll & Hyde during a trip to NYC in 2000 with my dad. The lead was played by Sebastian Bach the former lead singer of Skid Row, but if we had been there just a few months later we would have seen David Hasselhoff in his Broadway debut. Some people have all the fun...? The musical ran for a few years on Broadway, but ultimately lost money. Great music...less than stellar story.

The theme of the novel is really a simple good vs. evil scenario, the main difference being the idea that good and evil exist in one person and will present themselves with defining features. It's a terrifying thought (although completely implausible). When detailing his downfall, Jekyll said, "The fall seemed natural." If you play with fire, you're gonna get burned. Simple as that. (PG)

Northanger Abbey

2010-12-04T08:38:00.003-07:00

Jane Austen, 1817

A young female mind
full of imagination:

asking for trouble

Although I would probably put this in last place of Austen's novels, it's still better than many other books. Being Jane's least best that's like being the worst episode of Law & Order. (Still pretty freaking good.) Catherine, the novel's heroine, is a bit ridiculous at times, but you can't quite dislike her. The story is filled with the usual crowd of characters: the tyrannical father, the clever hero, the white trash friends...

The best part is probably Jane Austen's narration. She says to other writers, "Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. Although our productions have afforded more extensive and unaffected pleasure than those of any other literary corporation in the world, no species of composition has been so much decried [...] there seems almost a general wish of [...] undervaluing the labour of the novelist, and of slighting the performances which have only genius, wit, and taste to recommend them." (PG)

Pygmalion

2010-08-26T20:03:00.004-06:00

George Bernard Shaw, 1913

A poor flower girl
has the chance to rise above
her situation

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've read this play before and never wondered what the word 'Pygmalion' actually meant, and even more ashamed of my lit teacher who didn't feel it important enough to mention. In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with one of his statues. Venus granted the sculptor's wish, and with Cupid's help, the statue was brought to life and they were married.

This is more of a common theme in film and literature than I had previously supposed; this idea of creating a 'Cinderella' and then falling in love with your creation. A sort of backwards Frankenstein. The play doesn't turn out quite like a Cinderella story might, but the ending is left open (if you don't read the unnecessary epilogue). My Fair Lady, the musical interpretation, does a great job at leaving the viewer with possibilities. (PG)

Journey to the Center of the Earth

2010-08-26T19:55:00.004-06:00

Jules Verne, 1864

In Iceland's mountains

the descent begins into

an underground world

Axel (whose name I enjoy a lot more in an 1800's German setting) is basically pushed around the entire book by his uncle, the eccentric Professor Otto Liedenbrock, almost until the point of death. I don't really understand why eccentricity allows his uncle to get away with so much. Categorizing someone's complete disregard for others as 'eccentric' is the same as giving them carte blanche to be a poopstick.

Most of the book is spent in caves (understandably), and I'll admit to feeling claustrophic just from reading. The idea of zero natural light and getting lost or stuck absolutely terrifies me. It's like being buried alive. By choice. Of his stories, Around the World in Eighty Days was more interesting to me. I like Jules Verne, but I wouldn't recommend this as a must-read. (PG)

Circle of Friends

2010-08-22T11:38:00.003-06:00

Maeve Binchy, 1990

Benny is the kind
of girl who people notice
after they should have

I first read this as a teenager at the suggestion of my grandma, and I'm happy to say that it continues to get better each time I read it. Binchy does such a teriffic job of making her characters seem very realistic and yet at the same time very fascinating, and the setting of 1950's Ireland adds exponentially to the charm of the story.

It's so great to find an author who can deal with inappropriate topics in an appropriate way. She's not a tease; she's straight-forward but lends herself more to character development than explicit detail which is refreshing in this age of tell-all authors. There's something special about this place that she's created, and in this case, 596 pages is just not enough. (PG-13)

Twelfth Night

2010-08-22T11:31:00.003-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1601

It's pretty sad when
no one can tell a brother
and sister apart

The modern re-telling of She's the Man is close enough. Purists can argue all they want. And I'll admit something: I like Amanda Bynes. I think she's funny and I loved What A Girl Wants. I refuse to be ashamed any longer. And I know I've mentioned before that reading Shakespeare at times just feels like a story being re-hashed (even though his is probably the original), but this comedy just felt like all the others.

Mistaken identity, characters disguising themselves as the opposite sex, a semi-humorous troupe of side characters...it almost feels predictable. And we don't get to know Orsino at all which caused the supposed relationship between him and Viola to have almost no development. I know it's a comedy, but I feel like Shakespeare's name attached to it should give it some kind of deeper experience. Perhaps I'm confused. (PG)

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

2010-08-11T19:51:00.004-06:00

Thornton Wilder, 1927

Is life a series
of unconnected events
or is there purpose

I love this idea that Wilder wanted to explore of whether or not things happen for a reason. Not that it's something everyone hasn't thought of at one time or another, but the story did a good job of keeping things unbiased. In fact that's the best part; that Wilder never actually tells us what his opinion is on the subject. It's left open-ended for each reader to determine. The best stories end with possibility.

By leaving the question unanswered, he allowed the main idea of the the story to become more about what happens to the people who are left behind by tragedy. He ends with a quote: "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning." Living a life without loving or being loved is a lonely existence. (No Moulin Rouge reference intended.) (PG)

Frankenstein

2010-08-10T19:57:00.004-06:00

Mary Shelley, 1818

A creature unloved
by his creator may well
become a problem

I'm pretty sure the reader was set up to feel bad for Dr. Frankenstein, but I confess I actually feel more sympathy for the monster. Frankenstein got this wild idea to create life, and instead of starting slowly with a bunny or something, decided to make a person. And of course we wouldn't want to take some time to make him look normal, no, let's just get it done as fast as we can.

Frankenstein claimed the monster was evil from the start, but really being abandoned by his thoughtless creator was what did him in. I'm so grateful that I know we have a loving creator who cares about us and who would never leave us. We were made with a purpose and a plan, not just to satisfy the scientific curiosities of a selfish idiot. Playing god never turns out well. (PG-13)

Around the World in Eighty Days

2010-08-07T09:59:00.003-06:00

Jules Verne, 1873

Phileas Fogg is
a man to be reckoned with;
he gets what he wants.

I was pretty excited to finally read something by Jules Verne, as he is Doc Brown's favorite author (refer to Back to the Future Part III). Doc Brown liked Jules Verne so much (and so did his wife, Clara) that he named his two sons Jules and Verne. (I guess it's also possible that Verne is a favorite of Robert Zemeckis.) Either way, I am now officially a fan.

I found the story to be light-hearted and quick enough of a read (although a tad packed with cultural references, including a full chapter on Mormons, which in all honesty missed the mark). There's also a bit of a romance, which I guess was supposed to be apparent throughout, but I felt was more than a little downplayed. And it's always great to find an ending that's worth the wait. (PG)

The Talented Mr. Ripley

2010-07-14T23:02:00.002-06:00

Patricia Highsmith, 1955

When stealing someone's
identity, one murder
is never enough

I can't decide on a diagnosis for Tom Ripley. Not that I'm qualified or anything, but I thought maybe I could take some of his issues and find a specific disorder. I was wrong. And maybe that's the way Patricia Highsmith wanted it. It's not necessary to know exactly what made Tom this way, and the not knowing actually makes him less predictable as a character, and in effect, more interesting.

He's not without emotion; he cares what people think about him. But he doesn't feel guilt for what he's done. He doesn't want to get caught, but he doesn't feel remorse. He constantly thinks that people are out to get him, which may just be the product of committing two murders. He feels shame, but not for the murders and he's materialistic to a fault. He's all over the psycho map. (PG-13)

A Little Princess

2010-07-14T22:56:00.005-06:00

Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1904

Playing pretend is
the only thing that can save
a young girl sometimes

My grandma owned the Shirley Temple movie based on this book, and I remember watching it often when I would spend the night. I always thought it was so sad (but good), but it was the 1995 film version that really made me love the story. I was surprised to find that both films were so different from the original story, but I believe they all portray the same theme well.

Sara Crewe really was a princess in every sense of the word. Kind, generous, honest...I hope my girls can be like Sarah Crewe. I am determined that this be a must-read in our home. Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, has a style that truly makes the reader feel like part of the fantasy, and in fact, like a little girl again. Unless you're a boy. (G)

The Merchant of Venice

2010-06-27T02:28:00.003-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1597

Antonio must
pay his debt to Shylock or
one pound of his flesh

It often occurs when I read Shakespeare that I come upon familiar plot lines or characters that I've read before and I think automatically 'how un-original'. I know that Shakespeare is the true author, but having things retold so many times, it somehow makes the original seem a little trite. I know that doesn't really make any sense, but nobody said it had to. Are there any truly original stories left?

In reference to the play, however, I really do like it. I think Portia is a great character, strong on her own, but happy in love. Shakespeare has a way with writing women. Shylock is another great character, but I have to admit that the famous speech where he quotes: "If you prick us, do we not bleed..." always makes me think of Seinfeld and the nose-pick. (PG-13)

The Call of the Wild

2010-06-27T02:12:00.002-06:00

Jack London, 1903

A domestic pup
learns to brave the wilderness
deep in Alaska

During my many years as an undergraduate, I was assigned to read London's short story "To Build A Fire" more times than I can count and I don't think I ever read it through completely. I regret not giving it a chance, because Jack London (great name, btw...) is a fantastic writer. I don't think I've ever been able to feel such a wilderness as London describes.

The relationship between Buck and John Thornton is such a loving one, and reminds me of my father-in-law Gary and his dog Maddy. Maddy is loyal to a fault and as obedient a dog as I ever saw. I sometimes feel she's jealous of my mother-in-law for making her the #2 woman in Gary's life. Maddy even rides along on cross-country bike trips. Man's best friend... (PG)

Reservation Road

2010-06-15T19:27:00.002-06:00

John Burnham Schwartz, 1998

Two fathers' lives are
forever changed one night by
senseless tragedy

The main crisis of this book is not a secret. One father, while driving home with his son from a ball game, hits another father's son with his car, killing him instantly, and leaves the scene. It's not a light read. That should be obvious. It's heavy, chock full of grief and turmoil. It took me weeks to finish, and it's not quite 300 pages. Small doses were all I could handle.

There is one question that stood out in my mind: What would I do? And I put myself in both places. As a member of the grieving family, and as the offender, the one who left and didn't look back. I like to think that I would react differently than each one of them, but the truth is that in real life there is no black and white to a situation like this. Just a lot of grey. (R)

The Red Badge of Courage

2010-06-13T17:40:00.002-06:00

Stephen Crane, 1895

Sometimes the only
real method of survival

is to run and hide

About half-way through the book I learned that a 'red badge of courage' is a wound; a battle scar. Henry, the main character, spends most of the story being ashamed of not having one. I would consider myself lucky, but Henry thought it proved him a coward. Of course he did run at one point, so it would make sense that he would feel a little bit embarassed by his actions.

I'll probably never understand how a soldier would feel in a battle, but I'm pretty sure I'd be running. I would straight freak. This is one of the many reasons why I would not make a good police officer. Although I'll admit, I could feel my adrenaline pumping as Cole ordered a team from CTU to take out Jack Bauer the other night on 24. It's all a game until someone gets shot. (PG)

The Lost Symbol

2010-05-15T23:44:00.003-06:00

Dan Brown, 2009

Robert Langdon must

decipher the clues that will

help save his mentor

It surprises me that Robert Langdon, as a character, with all of the harrowing experiences he has under his belt, still isn't able to strip back some of his extreme skepticism. He doesn't seem to have developed as a character at all, and it's disappointing. But Dan Brown writes good thrillers. They're entertaining, even if severely reminiscent of each other, but I think he needs to just stick to the cool thriller parts.

One of the best parts of a thriller is the plot twist. And this book's got 'em. Some very predictable. I guessed at the most major twist a fifth of the way into the book. I mean, there are only so many options, so when you introduce a character and give me too much info, things just click. Also, the attempts to enlighten readers with religious theories for the last fifty pages of the book is just boring. (PG-13)

The Time Machine

2010-05-15T23:42:00.004-06:00

H. G. Wells, 1895

Overzealous men

often make decisions which

are not the brightest

The majority of this book is told in first person and contains a continuous stream of description that goes way beyond natural dialogue. I found it difficult to read even one chapter a day, and the book is only about 100 pages long. Although the ideas of the author are interesting, the way in which those ideas are presented might make it hard for some readers to remain attentive. Dialogue is good. When it's actually dialogue.

It's honestly kind of an awful look at the supposed future. Of course, I don't believe for a second that this is what the future holds for humanity, but the idea of time-traveling is an exciting one. This character, however, seemed to take no thought at all for what he was doing. He wanted to explore, but was not prepared, and it seemed he had completely disregarded any possible consequences. Obviously not a boy scout. (PG)

Why Sinatra Matters

2010-05-15T23:36:00.004-06:00

Pete Hamill, 1998

From music to film

Sinatra has made his mark

in the lives of fans

My knowledge of Sinatra's talent is not what I think it should be, but I've seen The Manchurian Candidate, so I guess I'm not completely ignorant. I'm also somewhat familiar with the Rat Pack, as my father was a fan of Robin and the 7 Hoods. (Don't know why, but he was.) I was always a little more into Bing Crosby, sweet little crooner, although they both have lovely eyes.

The story told of Sinatra's birth and upbringing in Hoboken is truly a fascinating look at the socio-political climate of the early 20th century. The music of the time, prohibition and immigration all played a part in Sinatra's discovery as a musician and an actor. He claims that his voice is not his instrument. His instrument is the microphone. Although flawed, Sinatra remains as a legend and an inspiration. (R)

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

2010-05-15T23:31:00.003-06:00

Jane Auste n & Seth Grahame-Smith, 2009

Lizzy and Darcy

master the deadly arts in

defense of England

I have several thoughts about this one. I guess that's not uncommon for me, as these posts are just mindless ramblings most of the time, but I've seriously thought this one out. I was pretty excited to read this book. It's a best-seller, and everyone's wanting to read it, and I thought it was a clever idea. I'm all for something original, something that's semi-violent and witty all at once. And it was. But that was it.

It's short of amazing. I'll admit, I found myself laughing out loud in the beginning and found the story more enjoyable because I was already well-acquainted with it. But, by changing the characters into zombie slayers, it caused them to lose much of their charm and after about 100 pages, the zombie theme became a little tedious, and unfortunately, the book quickly lost momentum. Read the original. (PG-13)

Animal Farm

2010-05-15T23:28:00.004-06:00

George Orwell, 1945

Animals take charge

and end up becoming that

which they most despise

This is one of those books where there's an uneasy feeling, a sense that something is just not right the entire time. Although, I'm sure that was maybe Orwell's intent, it was still a little unsettling. I love the metaphor that he presents, but I found myself kind of scared. Again, probably the intent of the author. Something about animals talking and being nasty to each other...

I want to think it's a happy world between animals, like in Babe, or Charlotte's Web, so when farm animals start attacking one another, I get kind of creeped out. After reading about sweet little piggies growing up and making friends, it's rather disturbing to see devious little piggies plotting against their fellow animals and walking around on two feet. Bunch of freaks. (PG-13)

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

2010-05-15T23:23:00.004-06:00

Lewis Carroll, 1865

Down the rabbit hole

Alice discovers herself

in a strange new place

The animated Disney version was never something that I watched as a kid, which probably meant that my mom didn't like it. But there was a live-action mini-series from 1985 starring some unknown child actress and a host of better-known actors like Scott Baio and Red Buttons. I recently rented it from Netflix, and I realized that it's definitely one of those movies that was only really good when you were five.

Lucky for Kurt, I didn't force him to watch the entire thing. (I wasn't so lucky when he rented Fantastic Four.) One of the best things about the book was that it felt like I'd already read it. I know that sounds weird, but seeing multiple film versions of this made the book feel like an old friend. I knew all the little poems, and all the funny character quirks. It's strange to have never read a book, but to know the story so well. Which I'm sure is how most people feel about classic literature. Movies... (PG)

Julius Caesar

2010-05-15T23:19:00.004-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1599

Brutus, anxious to

defend his republic, helps

commit a murder

This is one of the few plays Shakespeare wrote that was based on historical accounts. The story of Julius Caesar, well known in Roman history, is certainly a tragedy. Brutus, one of Caesar’s friends is led to believe that Caesar means to take over Rome as its dictator. Fearful for the effect this will have on his beloved country, Brutus aids in the plot to assassinate Caesar. Caesar, shocked at his friend’s betrayal, speaks the infamous words, “Et tu, Brute?” as Brutus stabs him.

Marc Antony, another friend of Caesar’s is surprised and obviously upset at Brutus’ part in the assassination. But even to the end, Brutus remains convinced that his actions were for the good of Rome. Favorite quote: “Every bondman in his own hand bears the power to cancel his captivity.” (PG-13)

The Velveteen Rabbit

2010-04-29T21:57:00.004-06:00

Margery Williams, 1922

A special rabbit

loved by a child is brought to

life by a fairy

Something about the idea of stuffed animals and toys being real makes me really happy. I remember believing this as a child (I was possibly influenced by the movie A Little Princess. Not the Shirley Temple version.), and this may be why I’m twenty-eight and still have a bucket full of stuffed pigs in our storage closet. It’s a great idea, toys being real, unless the toy’s a clown or a ventriloquist dummy. (Thanks a lot, R.L. Stine…)

I can’t imagine being a child, though, and getting sick and having all of my toys burned in a bonfire. Imagine the guilt. My friend Nicole, as a child, would make her bed in the morning and sit her stuffed animals lovingly in their places. Only she had to switch their places every once in awhile to make it fair for all of them. Remember when Stephanie on Full House gave Mr. Bear to Michelle? Yeah that was really nice. (G)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

2010-04-29T21:44:00.004-06:00

Washington Irving, 1820

Ichabod Crane has

a deadly encounter with

The Headless Horseman

Told solely from the point of the narrator, it is sans dialogue. It’s a great little short story; Ichabod and his rivalry with Brom Bones, the local playboy, over Katrina Van Tassel, a plump little hood rat. I’ve heard this story so many times, but I still wonder what happened to Ichabod. Did he really leave town, or did Brom Bones do him in? I can’t imagine Brom feeling threatened by a poor, scrawny teacher.

One of the best things about the story is the constant description of food. Ichabod sees everything for its potential to feed him. As he passes the buckwheat fields it says, “…soft anticipations stole over his mind of dainty slap-jacks, well-buttered, and garnished with honey or treacle, by the delicate little dimpled hand of Katrina Van Tassel.” However wonderful, the story version isn’t quite complete without Bing’s crooning. (PG)

A Midsummer Night's Dream

2010-04-28T22:39:00.006-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1594

Puck uses magic

to influence mortals and

help them find true love

When I think of this play, I think of Dead Poet's Society. Robert Sean Leonard’s character, Neil, played Robin a.k.a. Puck and that’s where I first fell in love with him. (Robert Sean Leonard, not Puck.) There’s another movie that includes this play with Kirsten Dunst, but its name should never be mentioned in the same blog with DPS. The play is not included in its entirety in either of these films, but there is a recent film version with Christian Bale and Anna Friel that is actually pretty good.

This has been my favorite Shakespeare play to read so far. It was fast-paced, and super clever and witty. It’s just your classic comedy of errors. (Not to be confused with the play of the same name.) One thing I love about this play is that everyone ends up happy in the end, but I wonder how happy I would be if I were Helena and the guy I loved only loved me back because of a spell. I guess if the guy was Robert Sean Leonard I wouldn’t mind so much. (PG)

The Garden of Eve

2010-04-28T22:18:00.005-06:00

K.L. Going, 2007

Evie has a seed

that she hopes will lead her to

her deceased mother

Evie is a young girl whose mother has recently died, and whose father has moved them to a small town in rural New York. She is obviously not excited about the move and even less excited about the cemetery that sits adjacent to their newly acquired property. Within a few days, she learns of a curse on the town that keeps things from growing, meets a dead boy, and receives a special gift.

It’s fairly religious in tone, with obvious allusions to the Garden of Eden, and has a bittersweet ending. I can see this making a cute little movie, but as a book, it felt a little flung together. The characters were a tad too predictable, and although the plot had some interesting twists, I still felt like there were some major questions that were not answered. And I do not like plot holes… (PG)

Congo

2010-04-25T19:59:00.000-06:00

Michael Crichton, 1980

Peter takes Amy,
his gorilla, on a trip
back to the jungle

I noticed, after I wrote it, that my haiku made this book sound like a scene straight out of Curious George. Well, Peter is no 'Man in the Yellow Hat', and Amy is nothing like the tiny chimp. In fact, the only commonality between Curious George and Congo is Will Farrell. He did voice work for the CG animated film, and played one of the gorillas in Congo. Seriously, have you seen the man's chest hair?

One thing I loved about Congo, and I guess this applies to Michael Crichton's books in general, is how scientific it was in its approach. The entire time, I'm trying to focus on the plot, but the factual insights really help move the story along. Crichton's description of the Congo region is as an untouched jungle; exciting, but potentially deadly. I think that's what makes it so terrifying: nobody knows which it will be. (PG-13)

Macbeth

2010-04-17T22:23:00.003-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1603

Told that he will rule,
Macbeth allows his lust and
greed to take control

I'm proud to finally know where the famous "Double, double toil and trouble" quote comes from. (Did anyone else think it was from the movie with the Olsen twins?) And you've got to love the curse on theatres that the play supposedly has. While in a theatre, it is bad luck to say the name 'Macbeth' and if performing in the play, you should beware of any misfortunes or accidents that may befall you. Really people.

I guess the ultimate question I have about this text is why Macbeth did what he did? He seemed like such a decent fellow to have fallen so far and so quickly. Was it simply greed that made him desire power or was Lady Macbeth more to blame than anyone? She sure wore the kilt in that relationship. I think the real moral of the story would be to choose carefully when taking a dame. (BTW, I was just kidding about the Olsen twins.) (PG-13)

The Tempest

2010-04-17T22:11:00.004-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1610

Prospero uses
Ariel to seek revenge
on his usurpers

The play centers around Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, whose brother had him exiled. Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, have been living on an island for twelve years plotting revenge. Prospero uses magical powers and a spirit, Ariel, to help him cause a storm that will shipwreck his enemies. (Ariel is a dude, by the way, for those of you imagining a well-known mermaid.)

Honestly I find the entire plot a little without. Without a point? Prospero uses his powers to bring his betrayers to the island. I guess in a way he teaches them a lesson. But that's really where it ends. He screws with them, and then forgives them, and then they all swap ghost stories around the campfire or something. Why didn't he just use his magic to get himself off the freaking island? (PG)

Mass Effect: Revelation

2010-04-17T00:36:00.003-06:00

Drew Karpyshyn, 2007

In the near future
humans share the universe
with alien peeps

My husband, Kurt, had been asking me to read one of these books for months. Finally I broke down and did it. My immediate reaction: Not too bad. This book is the prequel to the story of Mass Effect, most popularly known to video game enthusiasts. In fact, shortly after Mass Effect 2 was released, I was reading in the break room and I suddenly became pretty popular with the IT guys. Shocker.

One thing I found difficult was the lack of development with the characters. They felt one-sided and unwilling or unable to budge from their pre-molded shells. Unfortunately, this led to the demise of the one instance of a semi-romantic story line. Despite the cookie-cutter characters, I felt the technical jargon easy to grasp and was quite proud when I deduced from the various descriptions of interstellar races that the character on the cover of the book was a Turian. Small victories... (PG-13)

The Taming of the Shrew

2010-04-17T00:15:00.003-06:00

William Shakespeare, 1590

Kate, the shrew, is tamed
by Petruchio, who proves
anyone can change

Many of Shakespeare's plays have inspired film adaptations, and I think 10 Things I Hate About You is a pretty decent one. Of course there are parts that have to be changed to fit with modern society, but all in all, it stays pretty close to the original plot. I do remember another adaption though...Moonlighting. That's right, the old show with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. (Not as good...)

The Taming of the Shrew is a super clever story, although it's definitely geared for Shakespeare's time. Petruchio basically teaches Kate to obey by abusing her. He starves her, ignores her, and finally wears her down. Things like that wouldn't fly nowadays, no matter how raunchy the wife was. I prefer to see Petruchio and Kate in a more modern setting. Give me a paint-balling Heath Ledger any day. (PG)

The Wizard of Oz

2010-03-13T10:33:00.001-07:00

L. Frank Baum, 1900

Dorothy is sent
to the strange land of Oz, but
she longs for Kansas

I wouldn't normally do this, but I have to admit that the movie was better than the book. And maybe I'm not giving it a fair shot, but that's my prerogative, as this is my blog. I understand that it could have been written as a serial (and I hope that it was), because it felt like each chapter was an entirely new story. And then this happened...and then this happened! Nothing seemed to flow together besides the wanting to get home part.

The Wicked Witch of the West was disappointing, to say the least, and was only mentioned in one chapter. That's hardly even a stumbling block. I guess I just wanted to get swept away, but I ended up plodding through twenty-four dull chapters. By the way, movie buffs/conspiracy theorists, make sure you get your facts straight. The original tin man did not die from the silver paint. Barnaby Jones, anyone? (G)

A Death in the Family

2010-03-07T21:56:00.002-07:00

James Agee, 1956

A family is
rocked by the sudden death of
their loving father

This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958. Unfortunately, by this time, Agee was already dead. Slightly ironic, considering the title. At least, I'm pretty sure it's ironic. I'm hesitant to call things ironic nowadays for fear of being called out like people have continued to do to Alanis Morissette. Based on Agee's own father's death, the story takes its time getting to the actual event.

The family dynamic in this book was pretty intense at times, especially with the various religious or non-religious views of the different family members. Agee does many things well, but I think the thing he does the best is describe. I could smell and even taste almost everything he described, from food to a grandparent. Some descriptions reminded me of the smell of a crowded bus in a foreign country. Woof. (PG-13)

Ballistics

2010-01-21T23:14:00.007-07:00

Billy Collins, 2008

If you have not read
any poetry by him
you need a spanking

Lately I noticed a common theme: birds. I just picked up on it while reading this last collection, where several poems mention our feathered friends, and then also discovered a collection published just last year titled Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds. It seems my suspicions were right on the money. I also noticed a few racy word choices in this latest collection. I hope we don't get an illustrated anthology of those...

With that in mind, I'll give you a list of my favorites that you can look up. I know there are places you can find these on the internet, but I'm not going to offer hyperlinks because I think you should spend a few bucks to have these in hard copy. In no specific order: August in Paris, The Four-Moon Planet, Evasive Maneuvers, Ballistics, Hippos on Holiday, The Effort, China, On the Death of a Next-Door Neighbor, Baby Listening, Bathtub Families, Divorce, This Little Piggy Went to Market, The Breather, and Oh, My God!. (PG-13)

Old Yeller

2010-01-21T23:13:00.008-07:00

Fred Gipson, 1956

A boy and his dog
brave the wilderness and fight
hydrophobia

I normally wouldn't do this, but I'm going to give away the ending in this post. If you happen to have not seen the movie, or read the book, or just heard the story, I'm surprised. So...sorry, but the dog dies at the end. In the movie, he gets sick and tries to attack the family, and so the boy has to shoot him, but in the book, they don't wait for him to get sick. My friend Jennifer says forlornly, "They didn't even give him a chance."

As a kid, I only saw this movie once, because my mom doesn't like movies where animals (or people) die. We still can't mention the name Maverick without her crying. (He died three years ago.) And not only live-action movies, or non-fiction, but she can't watch The Lion King, or Jurassic Park. We've told her the dinos aren't real, but to no avail. P.S. Hydrophobia = Rabies. (PG)

Shooting the Moon

2010-01-21T23:12:00.005-07:00

Frances O'Roark Dowell, 2008

Jamie's brother sends
photographs from Vietnam
where he is stationed

It's pathetic to me how little I actually know about the Vietnam War. Sure it was before I was born, but I still feel like I should be a little more informed than I currently am. Honestly, though, I don't really have any ties to it; no one from my family served in Vietnam. But even without the ties, I still feel like understanding our history is part of what being an American is all about.

Jamie, the young girl in this story, learns about the war in a very personal way. Her brother enlists and is sent to Vietnam, her father is a Colonel stationed in Texas, and she befriends a Private at the rec center where she volunteers. As she struggles to understand why her Pro-Army father would want to keep her brother out of Vietnam, she has her eyes opened to the many tragedies of war. (PG)

Of Mice & Men

2010-01-21T23:11:00.005-07:00

John Steinbeck, 1937

George and Lennie are
friends who share the common goal
to get their own land

You know those times when your friend is going to try out for a play, or try to get their novel published, or audition for American Idol...and you just know it's not going to happen, but you feel like you have to support them, so you tell them they're going to do great, but then you feel like a jerk cause you know they got their hopes up and you know they're going to get their little hearts crushed...yeah that's like this book.

It's just so hard, because you want everything to go right with Lennie and George, but you know from the beginning that they just don't stand a chance. And it's sad. Not only because you care about them as characters, but because you know that things like this really happened; people really lived like this. It's ridiculous that I think I couldn't live without certain luxuries when others live with nothing. (PG-13)

The Picture of Dorian Gray

2010-01-21T23:10:00.007-07:00

Oscar Wilde, 1890

Wanting to stay young,
a painting is the only
proof that he has aged

So two of his plays, The Importance of Being Earnest (which I've read) and An Ideal Husband (which I plan to read), are some of the most clever plays I've ever seen. I had heard Dorian Gray mentioned before, and knowing nothing about the story, assumed it to be a comedy. The beginning was humorous, and then it started getting a little creepy. And it continued to be creepy, until it finally became gruesome.

I don't have a problem with gruesome; in fact I love a good horror story, so I was pleasantly surprised. This is the only novel that Oscar Wilde ever published and it contains similar Gothic motifs that can be found in Poe's short stories like The Tell-Tale Heart or The Cask of Amontillado (although published nearly 50 years later). It's absolutely horrifying with a perfectly macabre ending. (PG-13)

The Little Prince

2010-01-21T23:08:00.006-07:00

Antoine de Saint-Exupèry, 1943

A young visitor
from another planet finds
what true friendship means

I knew I'd heard of this book before, but I couldn't remember where until two of my co-workers saw me in the break room reading it and said, "Oh...Le Petit Prince!" French class. That explained the confusion. I think the majority of the plot was lost in translation. It was kind of funny and clever at first, but then after a few pages, it just kept getting weirder and weirder. And weirder.

I don't even know if 'weirder' is a word. Probably more correct to say 'more weird', but I never claimed to be more correct. (Just correct most of the time.) With all the princes and kings and planets in this story, I was reminded of a slightly odd video game called Beautiful Katamari. See, even the video game it resembles is weird. There's really no easy way to say this. I have no idea what this story was about. (G)

Wings

2010-01-21T23:07:00.003-07:00

Aprilynne Pike, 2009

Laurel discovers
that she is a plant and a
fairy all in one

I started reading this one night, and quickly noticed some oddly spelled words. Like colour, memorise, programme. It really bothered me. I'm thinking, 'Where does this chick get off? Is she trying to be unique or something?' I even showed my husband, who echoed my frustration. The next day I realized I was reading the British copy. Needless to say, I felt like quite a wiener.

I read this at the suggestion of my best friend, whose cousin happens to be the author. That's right, I've got connections...and I'm about to destroy them. Laurel, the main character, is just flat out ridiculous. She's basically a supermodel that never needs to wash her hair, and happens to have a perfect figure. And did I mention she never gets cramps? Great fiction, to me, is all about relatability. (PG-13)

Ida B

2010-01-21T23:06:00.004-07:00

Katherine Hannigan, 2004

A home-schooled youngster
is sent back to school when her
mother gets cancer

Honestly, the main character in this book reminds me a lot of India Opal from Because of Winn-Dixie. It's a little interesting, since Kate DiCamillo wrote a little blurb that's on the front cover. Wouldn't that be funny if Katherine Hannigan and Kate DiCamillo were the same person, and she just kept writing similar books and promoting them in turn? Hey...I'm laughing.

All joking aside, it's a decent little book. While reading, I pictured Ida B as Ellie from the Pixar movie Up. Crazy, kind of wild look about her, always looking for a new adventure and seeming to get into a lot of trouble...you know the type. I especially liked how nothing ended up perfectly at the end. She made messes that didn't get cleaned up. It's refreshing to read something so realistic in its resolve. (PG)

Island of the Blue Dolphins

2010-01-21T22:51:00.006-07:00

Scott O'Dell, 1960

A young girl is left
by her people and forced to
survive on her own

I remember reading this is elementary school and thinking it was really cool. Probably because it was based on a true story and things like that always fascinate me. A girl, left by her people on the island where they lived has to find a way to survive on her own. (Lucky she already knew how to find food.) If it were me left on a deserted island, I would be dead within a week. And that's just reality.

It kind of reminds me of the movie Castaway in a sense. Of course, like I said, the girl had already lived on the island, and knew how to live off of the land. There were no volleyballs involved, but she did start talking to animals. (Can you blame her?) It's kind of a messed up story, though. I don't understand why the boat couldn't have just waited a few more minutes. It's all her brother's fault. Punk. (PG)

A Christmas Carol

2010-01-17T22:37:00.006-07:00

Charles Dickens, 1843

Ebenezer Scrooge
is visited by three ghosts
who know his errors

Scrooge is probably one of the most pathetic characters ever created. You don't really like him in the beginning of the story, but you feel bad for him, and by the end you love him. There is something relatable about a man turned cold by his own decisions and the treatment of others. If you ever feel like you're becoming like him, you should remember two words: Tiny Tim. That should bring you back to your senses.

I read this right before Christmas and thought it would be fun to also watch one of the film versions, so we borrowed The Muppet Christmas Carol from our friends and watched Michael Caine (I love him) play the part of Scrooge so perfectly. There are quite a few actors who have attempted this role, but I think he plays it the best. Although I can imagine Albert Finney did quite well.

Charlotte's Web

2010-01-17T22:30:00.006-07:00

E.B. White, 1952

Wilbur gets help from
a spider, who uses her
skills to save his life

I remember watching the old animated version of this story as a child (my mom loves Debbie Reynolds), and reading the book for the first time, I felt like I was watching it all over again. It's such a cute little story with all the farm animals, and yet at the same time it's kind of melancholy. Life changes, and we grow up and lose people we love, and it's kind of rough at times. That's what it's really about.

Wilbur, honestly, is ridiculous. I don't know what it was that made Charlotte grow so fond of him, other than the fact that he was completely helpless. He is some pig, though. Even Fern forgot about him after a while, chasing off after Henry Fussy. (Anyone else think she was kind of young to be daydreaming about boys?) The best character, hands down, is still Templeton. (G)

Fairy Dust & the Quest for the Egg

2010-01-17T22:25:00.004-07:00

Gail Carson Levine, 2005

A brand new fairy,
uncertain of her talent,
helps save Mother Dove

So it's about fairies. So what? My best friend is having a little girl in a few months and they're decorating her room like a fairy garden...and I think it's cute! Am I really into fairies? No. Have I ever been into fairies? No. Doesn't mean I can't read a book about them. The author has taken some liberties with the original stories of Mr. Barrie, but I think they work all right, although the book is a little silly.

The illustrations, which were done by David Christiana, are so pretty...it's seriously a treat to turn each page and just look at what he's created. (Although the drawings of Captain Hook are hideous...with reason, I assume.) I also appreciate the insight that Levine provided into Tinkerbell. Mostly shown as jealous and loyal to a fault, it was nice to see a softer side. (G)

Deception Point

2010-01-17T22:20:00.006-07:00

Dan Brown, 2001

In the Milne Ice Shelf
NASA finds a meteor
which has proof of life

I think reading Dan Brown is pretty enjoyable. He doesn't take a lot of effort, and he's somewhat intense. Yes, any average reader can get through his books. They're kind of fluffy. I mean, not completely fluffy, but a little. One nice thing about reading his books is that you know you'll probably learn something new, whether it's about history or science, etc. Important? Most likely not. But new.

I was having a good old time, just jamming through the 700+ pages, and I was impressed by how appropriate the content was. I've read The Da Vinci Code, and it was pretty tame, but you never know. I had read a little over halfway and was feeling quite confident, when all of a sudden, he throws down a bunch of F-words in one chapter. Nowhere else in the story, just that one chapter. Totally random. And gratuitous? (R)

Coraline

2010-01-17T22:01:00.002-07:00

Neil Gaiman, 2002

Through a locked door there
is another mother who
is waiting to play

Neil Gaiman is also the author of Stardust, which I've yet to read, but the movie was original and fun, and so I thought maybe this book might be somewhat similar...and it would have been, if I wasn't wanting to cry out in terror the entire time. It was original, but fun...I don't know. At first glance it's an interesting little story about a child caught between two worlds, but then it starts getting creepy.

Between the beetle-eating mother and the button eyes, my face was almost permanently frozen in disgust. It's supposed to be a kind of horror story, and it definitely fit the bill. Even the end of the book reminded of the final scene from The Ring 2 where Naomi Watts locks Samara in the well...don't ask why I've seen that movie. (PG)

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

2010-01-10T23:15:00.006-07:00

Brian Selznick, 2007

Hugo, an orphan,

winds the clocks, and meets a man
who hides a secret

Ever since I saw this book on my friend's shelf I'd wanted to read it. It's a fat book, about 500 pages, but the majority of the pages are pictures. Kind of a similar style as Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, except this book is for young adult readers, and not set in modern times. It's not often you find a work of historical fiction set in 1930's Paris that is geared for younger readers and contains drawings.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this story is based on the life of Georges Méliès, an inventor/early film-maker. At the time of the story, Méliès is already an old man, and the boy that meets him has unintentionally come upon one of his long-lost inventions. This was the first time I'd heard of an automaton, and I'm still trying to figure out what the point of one (other than as a random toy) would be. (PG)

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the First

2010-01-05T21:15:00.005-07:00

Lemony Snicket, 1999

The Baudelaire kids
go to live with Count Olaf,
a total creepster

I remember my mom talking about these books, and also my Young Adult Lit class in college, and thinking the whole Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler thing was pretty sweet. You don't see many pen names nowadays... (If I ever use a pen name, it will be Nikki Heat. *wink wink* to all you Castle fans out there.) I liked the sort of gothic punk feel to this book, with its quirky writing and dark humor.

I remember seeing Jim Carrey in previews for the film they made and he's about as nasty as I imagined Count Olaf looking while I was reading. Count Olaf's definitely a creepy villain, but he's not just weird, he's downright nasty. He's an old man trying to trick this 14-year-old girl into marrying him...not ok. Maybe I take things a little too far, but his intentions made me slightly uncomfortable. (G)

The Great Gatsby

2010-01-05T21:10:00.005-07:00

F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925

Gatsby tries to win
Daisy's affections through wealth
with tragic results

I was kind of surprised when my sister-in-law, Robyn, told me that this was one of her favorite books in high school. I thought everyone was like me and got fed up with the symbolism and decided to just skim the pages. Turns out some people actually read the books they were assigned. Her devotion to the book was appealing, so I found an old copy on my mother-in-law's shelf and gave in.

The entire time while I was reading, I couldn't tell if I was enjoying the story or not. I felt pretty much indifferent, but I figured it could go either way. During the last chapter, I struggled to contain my emotions, and when I finally closed the book, I cried. Not just for a second, but for like 30 minutes. Or more. I don't think I've ever grown to love a character more in the last ten pages of a book. (PG-13)

Because of Winn-Dixie

2010-01-05T21:03:00.007-07:00

Kate DiCamillo, 2000

India Opal's
stray dog helps her overcome
her abandonment

India Opal Buloni. A name one could only find in Naomi, Florida (a fictional town). Other than her flower child name, India Opal is an extremely likeable character. (Lately, I feel like all the little girls in stories I read are exactly like this one and that they all speak with southern accents.) She becomes even more likeable after she names the dog she found after the grocery in which she found him (Winn-Dixie).

The story is filled with odd folks from her neighborhood, reminiscent of Where the Heart Is, who she befriends in turn. Winn-Dixie (the dog, not the store) is the one who really helped the girl make friends, creating circumstances that allow the people of this small town to interweave themselves into each other's lives. It's a reminder that everyone has a story and needs someone to share it with. (G)

Othello

2009-12-23T22:25:00.006-07:00

William Shakespeare, 1603

If Othello was
not so gullible, none of
this would have happened

It's true that Iago's a pretty bad duder. Probably one of the sneakiest villains ever. The problem I have is that Iago really didn't do anything. There were no physical actions of evil perpetrated by Iago. (Ok, maybe speaking is an action...) But, my point is that everything bad that happened, happened at each person's own hands. Iago's like Satan, talking them into following their own crazy notions to their demise.

This story is about choices. About people so caught up by greed and jealousy and rage (everyone in this story needs anger management bad...) that they let those feelings blind them to reality. If Othello had stopped and taken a breath for like five minutes, he probably would have figured out that Desdemona was telling him the truth the whole time. Guess that's why it's called a tragedy. (PG-13)

Persuasion

2009-12-23T22:13:00.005-07:00

Jane Austen, 1818

After seven years
is there a remote chance that
he could still love her?

It seems almost impossible that a person like Anne Elliott could come from such a horrible family. Of course we never know her mother, but her father and both of her sisters, (even their family friend, Lady Russell) are complete poops. They're the kind of people that constantly find fault with everyone else, when they're not all that hot to trot themselves. Bunch of punks.

Anne and Captain Wentworth are definitely one of my favorite Austen duos. They hardly talk the entire novel and when they do it's so tense and awkward, but I really felt a connection with this character. This has nothing to do with my life experience; it's simply the beauty of Jane Austen's writing. Something cool: Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) was named after the hero of this book. Pretty sweet, huh? (PG)

The Sonnets

2009-12-21T21:08:00.006-07:00

William Shakespeare, 1609

No haiku I write
could hope to measure up to
Shakespeare's worst sonnet

I decided I hadn't read enough of Shakespeare and set a goal to read ten sonnets everyday at work. The best part is that his complete works are available online for anyone to read at their leisure. Ten sonnets a day worked pretty well for me, and in a couple of weeks I was finished. Most of them I could decipher, but there were a few I had to look up modern translations for. (Please, like you wouldn't?)

One thing I managed to do while reading was keep a running list of my favorite sonnets. In all reality, this might just be a list of sonnets that I was able to understand without much trouble. XXVII, XXV, XXIX, LX, LXXXVIII, XCIV, CVI, CXVI, and CXXX. If you have difficulties with roman numerals (which I do), I apologize, but these are worth looking up. P.S. I believe in Shakespeare...not the Baconian Theory. (PG-13)

Catching Fire

2009-12-21T21:04:00.005-07:00

Suzanne Collins, 2009

Katniss and Peeta
find their families and friends
in grave jeopardy

By the time I was one chapter into The Hunger Games, I was already wishing the second book in the series was published. Kurt felt the same way. (I got him to read it a few months after I did.) We bought this book within a few days of its release, and I've had several co-workers start this series at my suggestion. Of course they're all upset that the third book won't be out for a while, but they'll live.

That's one of the things I like about this series: I feel like pretty much anyone would like it, if not find it mildly entertaining. I still love the delivery in present tense, and think the characters and the world that they live in are one-of-a-kind. I'm still not sure if I prefer Peeta to Gale, but I'll wait and see how the third book goes. The third book in the series (not yet titled) is set for release in August 2010. (PG-13)

Batman: Hush

2009-12-21T20:54:00.004-07:00

Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee, 2009

The Caped Crusader
struggles with betrayal and
feline emotions

I didn't find out what a graphic novel was until college. (Thanks goes to Mike Laughead for showing me Maus, which is still on my to-read list.) There are multiple interpretations about the difference between graphic novels and comic books, but let's just say that graphic novels tend to have complete stories, instead of smaller installments, and they usually deal with more serious themes.

The only reason I'm classifying Hush as a graphic novel is because it is a collection of monthly installments published in one book. And that's what Kurt calls it. Otherwise, I would just say comic book. Let's call it a Comic Novel. It was a rewarding experience for me; all the familiar characters, plus some new ones, a little bat on cat action, and Jim Lee's incredible artwork. (PG-13)

Ender's Game

2009-12-17T19:35:00.004-07:00

Orson Scott Card, 1985

A small boy must save
the world from giant space bugs
in the near future

During my last semester at BYU-Idaho, Orson Scott Card came to present a Forum and speak at a Pre-Professional Conference for my department. I attended the meeting in the morning at the PPC and later in the afternoon attended the Forum like many students. But, I also had the opportunity to attend a small luncheon with the few other members of my Humanities Seminar. I basically stalked OSC for a day.

Several of my friends have suggested that I read this book, but it wasn't until our last vacation to California that Kurt (my husband) took the initiative and bought a copy to read for himself. When he finished it three days after starting, I knew it was time for me to give it a shot. Sci-Fi's not my favorite, but I found myself easily engaged and rooting for this somewhat helpless character. (PG-13)

On Writing

2009-12-16T20:04:00.005-07:00

Stephen King, 2000

Master of suspense
gives suggestions on writing;
memoir included

Interestingly enough, this is the first book by Stephen King that I've ever read. I've seen a few movies based on his works: The Green Mile, It, Carrie, The Shawshank Redemption, and Stand by Me (some of which are more decent than others) and I find his stories to be pretty entertaining. With that said, I don't plan on reading any of these books because he tends to be a bit too heavy on the vulgarity.

But (oh yes, there's a 'but'), I loved this book. It's nicely woven and doesn't read like a typical 'How to be a Writer' manual. I appreciate his honesty about his struggles and addictions, and I feel like I kind of got to hang out with him for a few days. However crass, his story of how he came up with the idea for Carrie and how it got published is fascinating. (R)

The Da Vinci Code

2009-12-09T19:59:00.008-07:00

Dan Brown, 2003

A cryptologist
has to follow the clues to
find the Holy Grail

When I was in Peru, I would see copies of this book everywhere, and it looked so interesting (especially after reading the same three books for sixteen months). Not like it would have been as good for me in Spanish, but I missed fiction desperately. When I returned to the United States a few months later, it was the first novel I read. I finished it in about two days.

Mystery books with word puzzles and secret clues have always intrigued me...my elementary school librarian can attest to my monopolizing every Nancy Drew novel available. In fact, I like to think of Dan Brown as a modernized version of Carolyn Keene (yes, I know she's not real). I was captivated by every page of this book, although I must admit to being disturbed by the albino's repeated self-flagellation. (PG-13)

The Scarlet Letter

2009-12-09T19:51:00.005-07:00

Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1850

Hester wears an 'A',
a symbol of shame and guilt
for all to witness

I was supposed to have read this (in its entirety) in 11th grade English, but we all know how that went. I started it again shortly after graduating from college, but once again got stuck somewhere around the description of a door. Thank heavens for my new resolve to finish books that I start... It's nice when you think you know the plot of a story, and your assumptions were way off.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the characters, though. Honestly speaking, I'm not a Puritan, so I can't judge them according to their own standards, but from a more modern perspective, Hester's a martyr, Dimmesdale's a pansy, and Chillingworth...well, read his name. I don't like the idea of anyone shouldering blame, but with such a nasty villain as Chillingworth, I can't quite blame the Reverend. (PG)

The Girl Who Could Fly

2009-12-08T21:36:00.006-07:00

Victoria Forester, 2008

Piper discovers
a magical power that
others want to crush

This was my first sci-fi attempt in awhile, and a surprisingly original one from first-time author Forester. Piper McCloud, (à la Dickens), discovers that she has the ability to fly, causing much distress for her down-to-earth (no pun intended) parents. Although her drawl is a tad thick at times, her sincerity and simplicity make her a likeable character.

Now Stephenie Meyer described this book as being a mix between Little House on the Prairie and X-Men...and I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment. A school for children with special powers, and the main character's Southern roots made for an interesting blend of events culminating in a surprising ending with obvious intimations of a sequel. (PG)

In the Bedroom

2009-10-18T12:52:00.005-06:00

Andre Dubus, 2001

Short stories about
tragedies and difficult
choices brought to light

My senior year, I had to take an Ethics in Literature course. Bro. D'Evegnee, one of the coolest teachers ever, assigned several of the short stories from this collection, and they are now some of my favorites. At first, I was a little concerned by the material, because we were at a church school, and I was trying to figure out my own qualifications for judging something as "Good" or "Bad".

I've since come to the conclusion that just because something contains difficult material does not necessarily make it bad, or not of worth. Some stuff is just crap, but there is often merit to be found in well-written fiction. Dubus presents some seriously gut-wrenching topics, but the way he does it is stellar. He knows people, real people, and real people sometimes contain difficult material. (R)

In the Woods

2009-10-18T12:44:00.004-06:00

Tana French, 2007

A young girl's murder
torments a detective with
haunting memories

On Valentine's Day last year, Kurt and I decided that our gift to each other would be a trip to Border's. I bought a cookbook and this, which I found while browsing the mystery section. Generally it's not a section I would browse (usually I look through New Fiction), but the cover was creepy-looking and I was instantly intrigued. (Refer to my post The Westing Game for more info about my obsession with mysteries.)

I read the whole book in a weekend. The author is Irish, so the story is filled with regional colloquialisms (which I think makes it more interesting). A murder, which took place in the detective's old neighborhood, causes him to flash back to scenes from his childhood, when his two best friends mysteriously disappeared. One let-down: Don't expect answers. (I don't like loose ends.) (R)

How to Win Friends & Influence People

2009-09-29T21:30:00.006-06:00

Dale Carnegie, 1936

Tips and advice on
getting people to do what
you want them to do

When my dad was serving as a missionary in Santiago, Chile, he got called to work in the mission office. His desk had been cleaned out, except for a book that was left in a drawer. He read this book, and it changed his life. I know what you're thinking, but it was actually How to Win Friends & Influence People. According to legend (a.k.a. stories my dad tells), this book helped my father to befriend several Chilean government officials in the late 1970's.

The copy my dad found in the desk in Chile is sitting on a bookshelf in the front room of my apartment. It is missing the cover now and the stories inside are severely dated, but the message is the same: To get people to like you, you've got to be likeable. (I know a lot of people who need to read this book.) (PG)

Peter Pan

2009-08-30T22:10:00.007-06:00

J.M. Barrie, 1911

The story about
the boy who never grew up
and his adventures

There are two movies that I remember seeing in the theater as a child: Home Alone and Hook. Although Kevin McAllister holds a special place in my heart, Hook always fascinated me. I loved the mix of fantasy and reality (ie. food fight), and I believe it's still just as good almost 20 years later. I believe that this is because Peter's story is essentially timeless.

The original storyline more closely matches the latest film version, Peter Pan. (Jason Isaacs never disappoints.) One commonality among the many adaptations is that the actor who portrays Mr. Darling also plays the part of Captain Hook. (Of course this isn't true in Hook because Mr. Darling is long dead...) Even the animated film has the same actor doing the voice work for Mr. Darling and Captain Hook. (G)

Fahrenheit 451

2009-08-11T16:18:00.009-06:00

Ray Bradbury, 1953

A futuristic
glimpse at a world where books are

no longer allowed

I have vague memories of reading this book in 7th grade in Mr. Lotta's English class. Mr. Lotta was an Italian beatnik/hippy (he wore berets & tie-died shirts), who loved poetry and wombats. I loved his class. For some sad reason, I didn't remember this book, although the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda are burned into my retinas.

While obviously a strange book, I was unprepared for the major stomachache that occurred while reading. Imagining a world where books are burned and free thought is no longer allowed scares the poop out of me. One of the most interesting things about the book is the derivation of the title: 451˚ F is the degree at which book paper spontaneously combusts. Supposedly. (PG-13)