February 06, 2010
Mystery/Fiction: The First Rule; a Joe Pike Novel, by Robert Crais
I got too bored with Elvis Cole to read anymore of those* but good grief I love me some Joe Pike. It's possible I love Joe Pike more than Jack Reacher^ even because it just seems like while Jack Reacher would be my big brotherly uncle type, Joe Pike would be you know more interesting to me in the sack. Plus I TOTALLY want his tattoos. Totes.
He's hot, and also the coolest customer out there (never lets himself lose his temper which you do occasionally see from Reacher), the mystery is interesting, there's some lies/twists/turns but not so many that you want to hang yourself. And at the end, as in the first Joe Pike-centered book, there's that hint of more humanity than one would guess...
Oh, Joe.
p.s. I read this in bed on my iPhone when I couldn't sleep. :) Then I couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop reading.
*Joe Pike was originally the sidekick in the Elvis Cole series. This is the second Joe Pike-focused book. I don't remember Elvis appearing in the first book (did he?) but in this one he gets to be Joe's sidekick instead.
^The Jack Reacher series is by a different author, Lee Child. If you type either of their names into that search box on the right, you'll get a few hits.)
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Fiction: Shades of Grey, by Jasper Fforde
If you think the Tuesday Next books are too gimmicky, then you're going to want to avoid this one as I believe it blows that series out of the water gimmick-wise.
While I did enjoy some of the events of the ending, I really had to force myself to get there, and honestly that's not something I really like to do when I read these days. Yes, I used to be a "have to finish everything I start" reader but now I'm an "hey I'm old and there isn't that much time and I don't want to die not having gotten to read as much GOOD stuff as possible so if it sucks, I'm stopping" reader.
This is a society based on color and the color that you can see is therefore the color that you "are" and the amount (percentage) of that color you are able to see determines your prestige, and both those items determine your EXACT position in society. What jobs you can have, who you can marry, etc. The world is ruled by a certain book of rules and infractions/demerits are cumulative. So what's the obvious thing right? Time for a revolution.
A lot of really obvious metaphor here. I remember I loved the first two Tuesday Nexts, didn't care for book 3, thought book 4 was OK...and just did not need to read more. (He could have stopped at one and had a really original book out there. Did he have to play it out?)
This series I am going to stop at book 1 as it's already boring me... In addition, at least the Tuesday Next books made you think about other great books, or google names that you couldn't place to figure out where in literature they were from. None of that extra in this one. (And it's definitely going to be a series, the names of the next two books were listed in the back.)
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YA/Fiction: Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Powerful book. Told in a long reveal, it takes a while to know what's truly going on, although as an adult I had a pretty good idea (would kids jump to the right conclusion? I don't know).
A lot of nice metaphorical work throughout the story, mirroring the evolution of the main character (particularly in the conception of the tree, and in the naming/recognition of a certain character).
I'm interested to check out her other books, looks like she's written a ton of stuff.
[Apparently there was a movie (Lifetime?) of this, but when I used this book for my media mini-study in my middle school curriculum class, the people in my small group who had seen it said it wasn't anywhere near as good as the book. Why had they seen it? Oh that class is chockfull of undergrads. Bunch of 22 year olds who apparently watch Lifetime teen movies! Heh.]
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Fantasy: The Gathering Storm, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
The first part of Book 12 of the Wheel of Time series, which will be split into three (I call it 12a). For however much these later books cover such small amounts of time, and how at least one main character always seems to vanish for a book (in this one, Elayne and Lan do not actually appear although they are of course talked about), and how much you fear that the ending won't live up to that great end of days that's been talked about the whole series long... I still really love a lot of these characters and still enjoy reading about them and thinking about their interrelationships. Still love the Aiel and their crazy ways. Enjoying Suian Sanche more than I would have thought. Mat! is all over this one. You know I love Mat! Some nutty Black Friend reveals! There's a lot to enjoy. Now 12b, hurry up.
p.s. I thought Sanderson did a fine job of writing both in his own and in Jordan's voice. There were a couple instances of "huh didn't he just use that exact phrase to describe someone a chapter ago" but other than that, I thought it flowed just fine and all the pivotal characters still felt "right."
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YA/Fantasy: The Prophecy of the Sisters, by Michelle Zink
Not badly written. The stuff with the little brother is poignantly told. Some of it is quite spooky.
On the other hand, this felt like a book in which very little happens other than the reveal of the ancient curse/prophecy...and it just...ENDS. Very much a "book 1" but even in a series, shouldn't each book have its own purpose? I felt like this one really tailed off at the end in setup for book 2.
There's something to be said for cliffhangers.
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Fiction: Man Walks Into a Room, by Nicole Krauss
I really had to force myself through this one. It's a bit cold and most of the characters I found extremely difficult to connect with (or even to want to).
However, I absolutely adore (ADORE!) her next book "The History of Love" and I would highly recommend you read that one (instead of this OR any other book!). (Search this page for the title or author to hear my enthusiasm. It was one of my very favorite reads of 2005.)
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February 01, 2010
Updated Musing
I've changed my mind on Company of Thieves, the lead sounds EXACTLY like Erin McKeown. Is it her? I should google it. As Sashi would yell at me if I asked him, "GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND."
Eh. Maybe later.
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DadReaction: Nostromo, by Joseph Conrad
Our November challenge book. I had to leave Dad in the lurch on this one, I just had too much school work in November (with finals in the beginning of December) to undertake this one.
Dad: It was harder to get into than I expected / I remembered really liking Conrad. It was one of those sort of prescient things that could be so easily adapted: a South American country gets sucked into the capitalism of the West, because of its resources. Of course, this starts warping the society there; you're watching it happen.
It's an interestingly written book: always taking some weird perspective, lots of flashbacks, leaving things behind. You know ahead of time who makes it and who doesn't, because he tells you throughout the text. Odd hero as well: he won't marry the right chick / her dad kills him. Very odd ending for a book about something else
Worth it but I did have to flog through it.
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À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for January.
Bought:
- None!! (None other than school books, anyway.)
Read:
- Night Child, by Jes Battis (library)
- This Is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper (library)
- Lonely Werewolf Girl, by Martin Millar (library)
- A Study in Scarlet, by Arthur Conan Doyle (re-read)
- The Prophecy of the Sisters, by Michelle Zink
- Man Walks Into a Room, by Nicole Krauss
- Shades of Grey, by Jasper Fforde (library)
- Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
- The Gathering Storm, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
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January 23, 2010
Fantasy: Lonely Werewolf Girl, by Martin Millar
This book is fantastic. The characters are hilarious and deep and interesting and quirky and the plot is both silly and serious and there's love stories and friendships and fights and just so much to love.
There were two small things that I felt were a bit surprisingly ... dropped off at the end (lacking sufficient explanation as to their closure). But that did not stop me at all from loving the ending the rest of the characters get.
Kalix is a fantastic character. I would be sorely tempted to use that name for my firstborn, were there going to be one (there isn't).
Highly recommended from me to you. (Recommended to me by someone on Flickr after they saw I had read and enjoyed The Good Fairies of New York.)
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Big Screen: Sherlock Holmes
It was entertaining and fun and weirdly action-packed and RDJ and Jude Law have nice bromantic chemistry and the steampunk-ness of it all was visually stimulating.
But it had little to nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes. I mean, my god, people, if you're going to make a movie about Sherlock Holmes, a GREAT PLOT SHOULD BE THE POINT. This movie really falls short there.
So you know, go to it to have fun. But not to find yourself intellectually challenged. As the real Sherlock Holmes, at his best, always does.
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Big Screen: Daybreakers
I loved it. It's creepy and icky and SUPER GORY and it actually kind of ANNOYED THE FUCK OUT OF ME when some Zombie-dressed people (I'm not joking about that) laughed at stuff that was super gory when it clearly was NOT funny. It's super imaginative and interesting and totally worth seeing in the theater. And Ethan Hawke is actually pretty good in it and so is Sam Neill. The dude who plays Ethan Hawke's brother is yummy. FYI. If you, say, need for there to be a yummy boy for you to be interested.
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Best of November
The best movie I saw in November was nonexistent. :( Waah! I had no time to go to the movies! Too much studying to do!
The best book I read in November was a tie between two books by the same author Fire and Graceling by Kristin Cashore. They were FANTASTIC!!
The best gig I went to in November was the only gig I went to: it was Joseph Arthur and he was amazeballoons. Just overflowing with talent and creativity.
My favorite tunes in November, besides Joseph Arthur who I listened to constantly all month, were songs featured on my favorite show Sons of Anarchy like "Mary" by Patty Griffin and a cover of "Ruby Tuesday" by Katey Sagal. I also listened to a lot of Matt Hires, with some Shwayze thrown in for good measure.
Random personal highlights: Finally meeting Mary and Doug in person! YAY! Going to observe at classmates' schools: Freaky but good. My cousin Leslie visits!
Lowlights? Studying, writing, studying, writing, studying, writing. School is exhausting.
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Best of October
The best movie I saw in October was a tie between two Chicago Film Festival Flicks: SPY(IES) (ESPION(S) en francais) and Fish Tank. But I also really loved Whip It! and Zombieland.
The best book I read in October was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson, a fantastic end to his trilogy!! And I also loved Liar, by Justine Larbalestier and The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean.
Random personal highlights: Chicago Film Festival. Dinner with the McCains (no, not THOSE McCains, my Chicago McCains). Getting our rooms reserved for Dragon*Con! PIE SHAKES ROAD TRIP!!! FTW!!! Jazz at the Cultural Center. Dinner at Meera & Ross' new place. Francesca stops by!!
Lowlights? Lots of frustrating emails trying to get my life at school straightened out. Always being given the runaround.
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Best of September
The best movie I saw in September was...whoops! I didn't make it to the theater even once in September. How sad!! :(
The best book I read in September was a tie between Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins and White Time, by Margo Lanagan.
The best gig I went to in September was also nonexistent. My concert-going in 2009 was extremely LOW and 2010 is looking to be even lower. I may need to just eliminate this category in monthly write-ups!!!
My favorite tunes in September were albums from The Avett Brothers and Kid Cudi as well as songs from two of my favorite TV shows Sons of Anarchy and Glee.
Random personal highlights: DRAGON*CON!!!! Lauren & Peter's wedding! Saw Kevin Smith live ("an evening with" type).
Lowlights? Had to cancel going to Monolith; had a paper due.
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January 22, 2010
November Album Reviews
Absolutely Love & Adore:
Sons of Anarchy: Shelter EP - Yup, another EP from my favorite TV show. Katey Sagal covers "Ruby Tuesday" in a beautiful, heartbreaking rendition. The other songs are good too but that's the one I can't stop listening to.
Matt Hires "Take Us to the Start" - YAY I have been waiting for this album since the first time I heard "Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song" (which yay is also on here). He's definitely someone you would expect me to like, a singer/songwriter-y dude with sort of acoustic, mostly cheery songs. What my cousin calls "WB Music" (i.e., something that would have been used in the background on Dawson's Creek or Everwood). That doesn't bother me at all. Other fave song: "A Perfect Day" (LOVE!)
Favorite Singles (not on any of the above albums):
- "Mary" Patty Griffin - so so so beautiful.
- "Fly Me Away" Annie Little - a freebie from Amazon but I still like it!
- "Sumatra" Katie Herzig - the second song of hers to become a serious repeat play for me. I should probably check out her albums at this point.
Other Albums I Liked:
- Shwayze "Let It Beat" - I have no idea why I dig these weird Shwayze albums so much. But you know what? I DO. And that's all there is to it. They make me wanna dance.
Not really for me / but maybe for you!: Nada!!
Shamefully have either not listened to at all, or not all the way through, or so few times that I can't legitimately offer an opinion:
Mos Def "The Ecstatic" - I dug this dude's acting in both "16 Blocks" and "Be Kind, Rewind," and then Rolling Stone gave this album a really enthusiastic review...but I've barely listened to it yet. Hey! November was a TOUGH month school-wise.
Company of Thieves "Ordinary Riches" - another victim of my inability to listen to music at the end of last semester when I was writing, writing, writing for weeks (my semester was very back-end-heavy in terms of assignments). Cant' remember what made me buy it, but I don't think I've made it through twice yet. I will say, the lead female really sounds like Rachael Yamagata. And you know, someday I'll find time to listen and check it out more!!
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October Album Reviews
Hold on, you're not even going to believe this. Are you sitting down? I DIDN'T BUY ANY RECORDS IN OCTOBER. I know, right? It's like the world ended and no one told us. I didn't even realize it until about a week ago when I went to print out all the monthly playlists I was behind on. Going back to school is making me WEIRD.
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September Album Reviews
Absolutely Love & Adore:
The Avett Brothers "I and Love and You" - I'm sure I have mentioned these guys enough times now that you are not surprised to see them. This album just continues their greatness and they're getting a much wider release and YAY for them. I can't really even pick a favorite song or two because everytime I listen I either a) love them all or b) completely change my mind on which one is best!
Sons of Anarchy: North Country EP - Yes, that's right, my favorite show of the year is also releasing little EP soundtracks. And they're awesome. This one has "John the Revelator" from Curtis Stigers, the song from the season 1 finale, which is so great. And the "Forever Young" cover by Audra Mae is just lovely.
Glee - The Music, Vol. 1 - I had bought a lot of these as singles as they were released, so I just finished up the album with what I hadn't already bought. This show is, for the most part, a LOT of fun and so are the covers. I have this random, not well thought out at all, theory that covers are ALMOST ALWAYS good because it's so hard to ruin a good song. Whereas movie remakes, there are just SO many places those can go wrong. And some of these are not just good or decent covers...some of these are GREAT! Faves: "Bust Your Windows" "Take a Bow" "Push It"
Favorite Singles (not on any of the above albums):
- "Hazy" Rosi Golan and William Fitzsimmons - so pretty!
- "Single Ladies" (cover) Pampelmoose - you can find it on myspace or somewheres
Other Albums I Liked:
- Kid Cudi "Man on the Moon - The End of Day" - Remember back when Kanye was just getting big and dressed like a schoolboy in sweater vests all the time and referred to himself as "Carlton" (from Fresh Prince of LA)? Kid Cudi seems to have taken that personality over for him now that Kanye's gone all glam. Fave: I really love the song they're both on here "Make Her Say" (with Common also).
Not really for me / but maybe for you!:
J. Tillman "Year in the Kingdom" - a solo album from a Fleet Fox. Some of this is really pretty - I really like "Earthly Bodies" and "Year in the Kingdom" but I can't listen to it as a whole album: too overall "on the same note" / too slow and methodical. Needs to shake it up once in a while to keep me going, I just end up fast forwarding... Sorry. :(
Shamefully have either not listened to at all, or not all the way through, or so few times that I can't legitimately offer an opinion:
Sea Wolf "White Water, White Bloom" - I really like this band, I just haven't given this album much more than a cursory listen. I KNOW. I got it after school started though and listening since then has been very inconsistent. What I've listened to sounds pretty but I know their old stuff a lot better.
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iPod: Twilight / Big Screen: New Moon
I had read all the books, but I hadn't seen the movie, and then I had a date planned with a school friend to see the second one. So I watched the first one on the plane to Georgia so I could see the second one with her when I got home.
Twilight
Admittedly a very cheesy book so you know a somewhat cheesy movie. But well-done nonetheless. I mean, if you are going to make a movie of a cheesy book, you have to treat the cheese with respect. Treated the romance like it was more romantic than it was...thus making it romantic. And lordie, where they filmed this is just plain drop-dead gorgeous. Gorgeous forests, gorgeous house (the vampire house, of course). Lovely. Cheesy. Laughable at times, but not a horrible movie. Honestly.
New Moon
Not good at all. Basically felt the entire time like the director was saying "this is so cheesy! and I'm not cheesy! so here's a cheesy movie! I can't do more with this material! I'm NOT like it!" Yes, the Volturi stuff was pretty excellent. But honestly the rest of the time I just felt like he was cutting off dialogue/conversations too fast, not letting it Be what it IS and be OK with that. Still filmed in lovely places. But not as well done as the first AT ALL in my opinion. I hope they don't have this guy doing the third one. (I'm sure I could already find out if I cared enough to do a search. But I guess I don't.)
And also: They made the wolves WAY too big. They were supposed to be BIG like surpisingly big for a wolf but just enough that someone who didn't know could still kindof believe they were a wolf. Not supernaturally ridiculous big. If they're that big why would it take even one to kill a vamp let alone five.
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Fiction: Undiscovered Country, by Lin Enger
Our challenge book for December. Dad skipped out on this one (after I skipped out on November). :)
I liked it but didn't entirely love it.
Liked the MN winter setting. Liked the kid and his inner thoughts. Found some of the mom / kid stuff handled a bit weird. Liked the little brother stuff. Hated the girlfriend's dad storyline and found it a bit distracting. Some unexpected twists. I liked it better at the beginning than the end.
I would be interested in reading what Enger does next.
Now all I can think about is how long it's been since I've been out on a frozen lake visiting the ice fisherman. You would NOT even believe how much shit some of them put in their icehouses. I mean we're talking electric generator-powered heaters and TVs and all kinds of crazy stuff. NO JOKE!
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