August 18, 2008

[Another] Book to Think About

"Sharp Teeth" by Toby Barlow.
Recommended here.

Posted by Duff at 06:13 PM | Say What? | filed under Books

August 17, 2008

YA/Fantasy: Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer

The fourth in the sparkly vampire series, I really struggled to get through this one. Not that I didn't finish it the same day I started, but that I found myself very annoyed with it early on and really pushed through only because I just HAD to know how it ended.

The first three I whipped through in a weekend and found them exhilarating and entertaining DESPITE the sloppy writing. So perhaps I had a harder time with this one because I wasn't already on Bella's emotional rollercoaster when I started. Whatever the reason, there were a number of things I just found too ludicrous here to really enjoy. But I sort of wondered going in if that would be the case.

As an adult, I can see all the weaknesses. As a teenager, I'm sure I would have [purposely] completely overlooked them and been swept right along.

Posted by Duff at 03:05 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery/Fiction: The Likeness, by Tana French

Wow. Soooooo good.

A follow-up of sorts to her debut "In the Woods", taking the #2 character from that book and putting the focus on them (and I hear an auxiliary character in this book will be the focus of her third).

Really intriguing mystery, characters that become sooooo real... The descriptions are rich and thick, and the emotions are layered and tangled.

French has just written two of the most interesting, and unusual, mysteries out there.

Posted by Duff at 03:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Books to Think About

"What Happened to Anna K." by Irina Reyn
Updated Tolstoy. Enthusiastically reviewed in People.

"The Amnesiac" by Sam Taylor.
Recommended by Very Short List.

Posted by Duff at 10:26 AM | Say What? | filed under Books

August 14, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Inconsistently. One day, super. One day, super bad. Two days...

Making: Trouble.

Reading: Same as last week: Volume 1 of "The Man Without Qualities" by Robert Musil.

Watching: La L'Olympics, baby. As should you be.

Listening to: The latest albums from My Morning Jacket and Carla Bruni (swoon). Back to back. And all the shit I bought in June that you might hear about tomorrow, if you're lucky.

Posted by Duff at 12:49 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

August 07, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Goldfish. (Original flavor) They just never get old.

Making: One secret thing. Sometimes. Rarely. When lying on the floor gets too boring.

Reading: Neither Dad nor I have finished last month's challenge book yet (it was too damn big to carry around so I was only reading it at home except when do I read at home? Not often, turns out), but we decided to move on to this month's for now and go back and finish the other after.... so that means I'm reading Volume 1 of "The Man Without Qualities" by Robert Musil. It's not laugh out loud funny but there's sort of a dry sardonic undertone. So I'm enjoying it.

Watching: Firefly, for the zillioneth time (and then Serenity but of course). Since both Carrie and my future husband are watching it right now, I needed a refresher in case they feel like talking about it.

Listening to: Stuff I bought in June like Fleet Foxes and Shearwater and Jakob Dylan and The Fratellis and James Hunter and Lil Wayne and Port O'Brien. Yeah I have this dream that I will review all June & July albums by month's end and be ALL CAUGHT UP in time to start fresh with the "school year" so to speak. But don't hold your breath, I wouldn't want to be the cause of any untimely deaths.

Posted by Duff at 08:40 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

August 06, 2008

Catching up on EW

EW 1002 (twilight)

The redesign is crap, if you ask me. A) It all looks like advertising and B) Was the goal of the redesign to have as few (and as short) album reviews as possible?

EW 1003 (watchmen)

Columbia Pictures/Sherlock Holmes with Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes, Will Ferrell as Watson and Judd Apatow producing? I think I might puke. Warner Bros instead offers Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes with Guy Ritchie directing? Now that I might be willing to see.

I need to hear Sugarland's cover of "Life in a Northern Town." Need.

Bank Job DVD gets an A-. I heard it was good but given the star's previous work, did they really expect anyone to go to it in the theater?

Entire page on the new CSI but they don't mention David Weddle coming over from BStarG. Was that announced post this issue? I'm always so behind on magazines, it's hard to work out the chronology.

EW 1004 (dark knight)

EW: There's an old joke about how Superman is the guy girls want to marry but Batman's the one they want to date.
Christopher Nolan: Michael Caine had a great line: "Superman is the way America sees itself, but Batman is the way the world sees America."

Thomas Disch's latest "Word of God" gets an A-. RIP Disch, an amazingly versatile author (I've read his sci fi ["Camp Concentration" among others] and I've also read his historical fiction ["Neighboring Lives" set in the pre-raphaelite world] and both were EXCELLENT).

EW 1006 (some girl from some ridiculous show)

Olympics start August 8. Man, I can't wait for August 9: Swimming!

This book sounds funny: "Mine All Mine" Adam Davies
This book sounds intriguing: "Travel Writing" Peter Ferry
and this photo book looks and sounds very cool: "Perfect World" Sage Sohier

Posted by Duff at 09:00 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, Tunes

August 05, 2008

Best of July

The best movie I saw in July was also the only movie I saw in July (or the only one I saw for the FIRST time anyway...). It was The Dark Knight and it was pretty fantastic. I had reservations, but they weren't "I don't love you" reservations. More like "I do love you, but I probably wouldn't marry you, because I know you'll only hurt me in the end."

The best book I read in July was Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart, which was just outrageously fucking funny.

The best gig I went to in July was either the Fleet Foxes set at Pitchfork or the Earlimart show at the Hideout. Probably have to tip the hat to Earlimart since the sound was better (purely by locational happenstance), but I remain equally entranced by both.

My favorite tunes in July were Fleet Foxes and (more) Joseph Arthur and The Kills and Nana Grizol "Love It Love It"(which you sooo need) and this totally awesome mixdisc/playlist I made for Juno. My question for you is*: What would you give me to get a copy of that?

Random personal highlights: Visit from the Nipper. Secret Family Craft Project.

Lowlights? Long slow stressful month. This summer has sucked some fucking rotten ass, let me tell you. I mean, except for that it's all shit I can't tell you.

*Do you remember when I used to use this phrase ALL THE TIME? Dang, I miss it.

Posted by Duff at 10:00 AM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Flicks, Tunes

August 03, 2008

Poetry: Unmentionables, by Beth Ann Fennelly

Funny, wry and matter of fact. Cow tipping, Berthe Morisot, Kudzu (vine) creep, and John Berryman: her subjects are flung far and wide but always treated with the same intense gaze.

You can feel the Mississippi humidity seeping off the pages. These poems are fresh, verdant and fecund.

Similar to Billy Collins, she writes simply, but deeply.

Posted by Duff at 06:44 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Sci Fi/Fantasy: Peeps, by Scott Westerfeld

Very, very different than the other YA vampire fiction out there these days.

Male protagonist, certainly interested in romance/sex but not consumed by it the way Bella (of the other books) is. A more realistic/scientific look at the phenomenon, if you will, despite the fictionalness of it all. Lots of cool Manhattan stuff: underground, bureaucratical, conspiratorial.

Certainly pulls you right along. Enjoyable easy reading. I mean, other than the bug stuff. If you are bug, insect and gross-phobic the way I am...well, let's just say it was hard for me to even let my fingers touch the pages of the Parasite chapters as a) soooooo nasty and b) some of my worst nightmares CONFIRMED!!!

But on a separate note, as I said with the other: It kinda cracks me up how every "new" installment to vampire lore needs to put their own tweak on the legends. This rewrites a different part of the legend, but I still fail to understand the reason to need to make those tweaks to what are centuries old "beliefs" (if you can call them that). Your writing should stand out as something special, even without that tweaking; if you feel you have to tweak aspects of the overall Vampire legends in order to stand out, maybe you're concentrating on the wrong thing. I'm not saying that's Westerfeld's problem (I think this book is certainly well written, which I can't say about the other series, which is much more superficial and really only works on an emotional level), but why the need to change the mirror bit of the mythos? Yeah, in YA speak, I don't "get" that urge.

Posted by Duff at 11:31 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: Absurdistan, by Gary Shteyngart

Mindblowingly fucking hilarous. Truly comedic. Completely non-PC, an equal opportunity satirist taking on everyone/thing. Smart and sarcastic, yet willing to show a softer side on occasion. Brilliant.

In the tradition of "Confederacy of Dunces", but I enjoyed this more. Takes it a few steps further, less bitter, more fun. And in addition to the narrator and (anti-)hero Misha Vainberg, the author himself plays a bit part in this book (from afar), the emigre writer "Jerry Shteynfarb" author of "Russian Arriviste's Hand Job" [Shteyngart wrote "The Russian Debutante's Handbook"]. Poking fun at yourself equally as to others = always fertile ground for hilarity.

This is in no way one of the funniest quotes in the book, but it's emblematic of the general tone: "We give these American schmendricks a map of the world and say, 'Point to the general area where you think Congo is located.' Nineteen percent point to the continent of Africa. Another twenty-three percent point to either India or South America. We count those as correct answers, because Africa, India and South America all start out wide and then taper off at the bottom. So, for our purposes, forty-two percent of respondents sort of know where Congo is."

So the book. Yeah. It's really crude, and often gross, and TOTALLY AWESOME.

Posted by Duff at 11:18 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: Trespass, by Valerie Martin

Family tension, even in other people's families, can really set me on edge. This book had me anxious from page 1, just waiting for Bad Shit to Happen as the tension and anxiety of each character grows and grows. Definitely had me on the edge of the seat.

Really neat characterization and very finely detailed: the mom's art (so cool), the dad's writing. The intricacies of the familial relationships were so well plotted; you love someone, but you see their weakness; you hate when they act a certain way, but you know how to handle them when that's the case; etc.

When the moment of crisis comes, it was not at all what I expected, and that includes the follow-up events.

But I have to wonder what the blurb writer was thinking. Because the last sentence on the front flap blurb? Yeah, that's NOT what I got out of this at all.

Posted by Duff at 11:13 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

August 02, 2008

Best of June

Just in time to write up Best of July... I mean, once I get the individual reviews of that stuff up. So slackerass I am this summer.

The best movie I saw in June was Wanted, which I just loved. But I also thought The Fall was visually stunning.

The best book I read in June was a tie between Lush Life by Richard Price (gritty, real and modern day) and Life Class by Pat Barker (artistic and historical). I also really enjoyed Dark Roots by Cate Kennedy, dark short stories, and I just cannot get enough of Patricia Briggs sci fi/fantasy stuff this year.

The best gig I went to in June was definitely Sea Wolf. Soooooo wonderful live.

My favorite tunes in June....were mostly things I bought in April. When I look back through my posts, I was listening to a lot of: Joe Purdy, Joseph Arthur, Fleet Foxes, Meg Hutchinson, Mason Jennings, the aforementioned Sea Wolf and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

Random personal highlights: Amy's whirlyball birthday party (whirlyball! so much fun!); Weis [college roommate] here for a weekend; out to dinner with Cinnamon.

Lowlights? I'm sure there were some (primarily secondary browsing location and stress related presumably) but thankfully all I can tell you right now by looking at my calendar is that I was too lazy to go to the Printer's Row Bookfair this year (either day!) and that's pathetic.

Posted by Duff at 08:35 PM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Flicks, Tunes

À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for July.

Bought:

• Peeps, by Scott Westerberg
  
• Uglies, by Scott Westerberg
  
• Finding Battlestar Galactica, by Lynnette Porter, David Lavery, and HIllary Robson
  
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy, ed. by James B. South
  
• Undead TV: Essays on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ed. by Elana Levine and Lisa Parks
  
• Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There, ed. by Jason T. Eberl
  
• Stories of Your Life and Others, by Ted Chiang
  

Read:

• Trespass, by Valerie Martin
  
• Absurdistan, by Gary Shteyngart
  
• Finding Battlestar Galactica, ed. by Lynette Porter, David Lavery, and Hillary Robson
  
• Peeps, by Scott Westerfeld
  

I spent a significant part of the month reading two other books (The New Grant Book of the American Short Story, ed. by Richard Ford; and Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy, ed by Jason Eberl), but since I haven't finished them, they'll have to wait for August's list...

Posted by Duff at 11:03 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Hornby-esque, Lists

July 30, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Not much. But drinking buttfuckingloads of caffeine (bad bad (and as a result) red-faced girl!). Caffeine + Rosacea = not so attractive.

Making: A blurb book from a select few of my Japan photos. Woot.

Reading: Still reading Dad's and my challenge book for the month, "The New Granta Book of the American Short Story" edited by Richard Ford, when I'm at home. And reading "Finding Battlestar Galactica: the Ultimate Unauthorized Fan's Guide" ed. by Lynette Porter, David Lavery & Hillary Robson on the El. [same as last week except FYI neither me nor Dad is going to finish this month's challenge during this month. Whoops!] whoops, wrong BStarG book, actually reading Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There, ed. by Jason T. Eberl. Although it is true, neither Dad nor I is going to finish our challenge book this month (we'll move on to our August book and hope we have time later in the month to go back and finish the July one).

Watching: Generation Kill. Love. Still carrying around the first disc of Band of Brothers for no reason since I've pretty much decided I won't start it until Generation Kill is over so I don't get confused about which war I'm in. Have been to The Dark Knight twice so far. Swoon.

Listening to: Earlimart "Hymn & Her". a) it is an awesome album and b) they are awesome live, super nice and sweet. Also a lot of random singles.

Posted by Duff at 01:08 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, Flicks, TVTVTV, Tunes

July 24, 2008

My Dad.

This is his book.

Posted by Duff at 09:33 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, DadReaction, Recommending

July 23, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Like there's no tomorrow. Seriously, people. On Friday, I must have been afraid there'd be a run on meat overnight because not only did I have a 900-calorie Chicken Poblano Fresco sandwich for lunch, but then I had BOTH a Brat AND a 2-lb. Hamburger at dinner. Along with 4? 5? Kirs. And as I'm sure you can imagine, I ate even grosser than that at Pitchfork all weekend. What is wrong with me?

Making: Technically nothing, last two days have been complete fucking hell on wheels at the secondary browsing location. But Jenn did rewrite the sleevecaps for me on the pattern I'm stuck on (ravelry link) so soon I will be working on that. Soon. Supposedly.

Reading: Still reading Dad's and my challenge book for the month, "The New Granta Book of the American Short Story" edited by Richard Ford, when I'm at home. And reading "Finding Battlestar Galactica: the Ultimate Unauthorized Fan's Guide" ed. by Lynette Porter, David Lavery & Hillary Robson on the El.

Watching: The Cleaner , a show that apparently I am the only person on earth to like. Have you read the reviews? Because they're BAD. But I like it! Also The Closer, which I am enjoying but not as much; Saving Grace, which I am NOT enjoying at all; Burn Notice, which I am enjoying primarily when Tricia Helfer is on screen (she is sooo different than her BStarG character, and yet has some of the same powerful characteristics. It's kinda awesome); and Generation Kill, which I am LOVING but am *ahem* only 15 minutes into the first episode. Slacker! And I've already watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog three times (all 3 eps) with many more repeat viewings to follow, I'm sure. As for the Big Screen, I loved both Wanted and The Dark Knight and frankly I'd like to see them both a second time over the weekend. We shall see.

Listening: to Nana Grizol "Love It Love It" which I bought after reading about them (a bunch of times) on this blog. It is a LOT of fun. And the Sea Wolf song "Neutral Ground" over and over after this morning's El contretemps.

Posted by Duff at 12:19 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, Flicks, TVTVTV, Tunes

July 16, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: My weight in brownies from Jamie. Yum.

Making: Secret.Family.Craft.Project.

Reading: Still reading the same two books as last week: 1) at home: Dad's and my challenge book for the month, "The New Granta Book of the American Short Story" edited by Richard Ford, and 2) in transit: "Absurdistan" by Gary Shteyngart . Close to finishing #2, which has been a hilarious ride so far, and definitely spending some time gazing at the bookshelves, pondering what's on deck.

Watching: Summer TV kickoffs of Burn Notice, The Cleaner, The Closer, Saving Grace and the wonderful, truly awesome, so enjoyable Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. (I had more to say ova heah.) Also rewatching lots of old favorites. As well as (re)watching BSG season 4 so far. Wanting to see Wanted again...Sooooo good. (So good that I haven't written it up? Slacker!)

Listening: Mostly to SModcasts. About five in the past four days or so? As my Dad says, "those two make great traveling companions." Also (re)listening to the latest albums from Madonna, Gnarls Barkley, Coldplay, Meg Hutchinson and Missy Higgins. All as accompaniment to Secret.Family.Crafting. I have a bunch of new stuff I haven't listened to yet. And there's Pitchfork (with the Nipper! YAY! NIPPER VISIT!) over the weekend. So we'll see.

Posted by Duff at 11:40 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, Flicks, TVTVTV, Tunes

July 10, 2008

Paste #43

Tunes to Think About:

• Ersi Arvizu "Friend for Life"
  
• Jack Dishel "Only Son" (only on myspace? not sure)
  
• The Ting Tings (Shell recommends them too)
  
• Caroline Herring "Lantana"
  
• Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken "Ampersand" EP
  
• Elbow "The Seldom Seen Kid"
  
• Jim Noir (It's been out for ages, but I keep resisting this one, not sure why.)
  
• Old 97s "Blame It on Gravity" (hmmmmmm)
  
• Baby Loves HipHop Presents: the Dino 5 (this album sounds like so much fun!)

And other random thoughts:

Steve Labate describing The Replacements: simultaneously stupid and profound, a gang of reckless, wiseass pranksters accidentally slipping on their own banana peel headfirst into the sacred sublime. ...the endearing juxtaposition of abject failure and wild success.

I don't know what to think of Scarlet Johansson putting out a Tom Waits' cover record...but I did really enjoy the stuff she had to say about Woody Allen in this interview. (And also, the video she's in for Bob Dylan's "When the Deal Goes Down" sounds really lovely...although I can't remember the last time I saw an actual music video.)

This review of Mates of State sounds eerily like it could be describing The Weepies. Bizarre. They are not that similar in my head, but I realize I haven't listened to MoS in awhile...

I soooo want a Wii Fit!!

Book: "Dear American Airlines" Jonathan Miles (the second intriguing review I've read...hmmm....)
Book: "Black & White" Lewis Shiner
Book: "Poems 1957-1967" James Dickey

Snack: Trader Joe's PeanutButter-Filled Pretzels (the second recommendation of these in a week. my coworker says they're bliss)

Game: Dishwasher Dead Samurai (to be on Xbox 360. Dang I wish I could play video games (other than Tetris and Hatris I mean. I'm great at those.)

Posted by Duff at 11:30 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Rags, Tunes

July 09, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Better than last week. So far. Lots of bananas. Monkey-loving girls can never have too many bananas.

Making: This week? Absofuckinglutely nothing. Maybe over the weekend.

Reading: Dad's and my challenge book for the month, "The New Granta Book of the American Short Story" edited by Richard Ford, a behemoth of a collection, way too heavy to read in transit. I didn't think the first three or so were very good choices, but after that it really picked up and now I can't put it down. I mean when I'm at home, sitting down, with the book resting on a pillow or table, THEN I can't put it down. So since I'm not carrying that fucker around, on the El I'm reading "Absurdistan" by Gary Shteyngart which is really hilarious. Solidly in the "Confederacy of Dunces" tradition. I am picturing the main character as a (much) fatter Kevin Smith. If you listen to SModcasts and then read this book, I think you'll see why.

Watching: Almost nothing. (I mean BSG every night but at this point, does that even count?) I'm supposedly going to start watching Band of Brothers (CCB, can you guess why????). But I've been carrying around disc one for a couple days now and haven't managed to pop it in yet.

Listening: The new Beck "Modern Guilt" (good!), the awesome mix I just made per Juno's request, another new Joseph Arthur EP "Vagabond Skies" (Love.It.), the most talked about rap album of the year Lil Wayne "Tha Carter III" (fun!), and still listening to Fleet Foxes , Sea Wolf and Matt Costa a lot as well. Plus today I am listening to "Nightswimming" from an old, old beloved album (R.E.M. "Automatic for the People") after a eulogy in the April issue of Paste brought it to mind.

Posted by Duff at 08:50 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, Tunes

July 08, 2008

EW #1001 (Batman/Joker)

A(nother) redesign. WIth lots of bolding in the text.

I really can't wait to see Batman. The previews are intense and Heath looks amazing.

Stephen King agrees with my Dad on The Strangers.

This is a much better review of Wanted than the one in the Chicago Reader.

The new HBO drama Generation Kill sounds much more intriguing to me after reading this article (and Maureen Ryan has a whole host of PDFs to help you keep track of who's who if you feel the need).

Tune: "Hero" Nas feat. Keri Hilson
Mystery: "Swan Peak" by James Lee Burke (Robicheaux series)

Posted by Duff at 03:51 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, TVTVTV, Tunes

Is this true?

Psychologists figured that the memory center was located in the left brain, and the imagination engine in the right brain. Therefore people unconsciously glanced to the left when they were remembering things, and to the right when they were making stuff up. When they were lying. This girl was glancing right so much she was in danger of getting whiplash.

-Lee Child "Nothing to Lose"

Posted by Duff at 09:58 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Lit Quotes

Mystery: "Nothing to Lose" by Lee Child

The latest Jack Reacher. You know how I feel about Jack Reacher.

I liked the little bits of the mystery that made this very modern day / the connections to the current global conflict. Definitely enjoyed it overall. Another solid addition to the series.

But I wasn't loving the (yet another) dead-end relationship and I thought the way they made the relationship "connect" to the main mystery (the husband) was a bit contrived. Also, hello, there is no way a smart guy like Reacher takes THAT LONG to figure out what's going on with the husband. Come on.

Posted by Duff at 09:55 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Dads will always set you straight.

In a story, where an environmentally aware son (not young, but still a son) is "borrowing" his dad's welding equipment to weld shut the pipes of a company dumping into a waterway.

'They're pouring emission straight into the water down there, from two pipes hanging out over the bank.'

He tests the chisel, nodding slowly as he works out what I want his welding gear for. 'They're pouring human shit straight into the ocean, too,' he says, pinning me with a glance, 'but I haven't noticed you welding your arse shut.'

-Cate Kennedy "Direct Action" (collected in "Dark Roots")

Posted by Duff at 09:51 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Lit Quotes

Short Stories: "Dark Roots" by Cate Kennedy

Very intense little stories. Succinct but centered around the moment of conflict. Very in medias res. People caught by surprise, sometimes by their own actions. Questioning themselves, questioning you, what would you do. People in unconventional situations. All different points of view: men, women, old, young.

Really good. (And very fast read. BIG print, less than 200 pgs.)

I must not have read the blurb beforehand though because I was somewhere in the mdidle when I thought "This girl MUST be Australian." Yeah, dork, says so right on the back cover. Doh.

Posted by Duff at 09:46 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

July 07, 2008

Books Stephanie recommended

Another reminder to self post: I keep forgetting to buy these two and I can't keep carrying around this email I sent myself...

The Genius, by Jesse Kellerman (also mentioned here)

To the Power of Three, by Laura Lippman (also mentioned here)

Posted by Duff at 07:56 PM | Say What? | filed under Books

Book I keep reading about.

Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. Called "possibly the most impressive post-9/11 novel yet" somewhere that I copied & printed out and then promptly forgot wherefrom. Looked at it in the bookstore but couldn't decide...

Posted by Duff at 07:54 PM | Say What? | filed under Books

Fiction: Lush Life, by Richard Price

A bday present from Carla who must've seen me mention it here. ;)

Price does such a good job of sucking you into each character's point of view. I kept changing who I was rooting for / who I thought was guilty / who deserved a serious smackdown. He is also just brilliant at maintaining the main plotline while also delving into all the little conflicts going on in the substories around it. Every character, every story, every little grouping of people is fully fleshed out and palpably human.

And the dialogue? Holy crap, no wonder they make this guy's books into movies. The dialogue is just spot-on in every scene.

Combine this great book with Minty's recent Coney Island and Mermaid Parade photos and I was missing NYC something fierce for a week there.

Posted by Duff at 05:10 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: Life Class, by Pat Barker

I really, really canNOT understand the reviews for this book: all of which seem to compare it unfavorably to her earlier Regeneration trilogy and some of which I just find ludicrous ("Tellingly, many critics mentioned as their favorite character one with little more than a walk-on—the real-life artist, teacher, and surgeon Henry Tonks, whom they hope to see more of in a sequel". What? NO.).

I didn't think the first half of the book was "slow" as so many have said / I thought the first half was about a bunch of very unhappy people, some of whom are actually happier when the war comes (second half) because it gives their life some direction they hadn't seemed to be able to find before it. Life does move slower when you're unhappy, don't you know.

I loved the descriptions of the art in this book; I could *almost* see the paintings in my mind and I really wish most of them existed. (Similar to how I felt about the paintings in Siri Hustvedt's "What I Loved".)

I found it moving and insightful and while it does continue to crack me up that so many contemporary British writers are often to be found writing about WWI and II (because there just haven't been any conflicts in the world since then, right?) in a way you don't find quite as often on this side of the pond, I think Pat Barker is (and continues to be) one of the best.

Posted by Duff at 05:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

July 02, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: All I want to eat is crap. Particularly the Special Dark Hershey's Chocolate Kisses that I bought to send to Max (and Alison) and then never put in the mail...Whoops. Their loss, my ass's gain.

Making: Almost done with the second thick woolly sleeveless vest (WHATEVER!). Hoping to finish the top of Kysa's Friendship Star quilt (a.k.a. Friendship Star #2) and then sandwich/baste/and quilt BOTH that AND the quick baby quilt top I whipped up over the weekend and get them in the mail to her by the 9th, which is supposedly the date on which the baby boy is going to pop out. I'm hoping he's late (although I'm sure she's not!!).

Reading: Was supposed to start July's challenge book yesterday (!), but picked it up and almost had my arm drop off due to the weight. Guess I won't be reading that one in transit!! So instead I've started "Trespass" by Valerie Martin which is prickly and dark and promises to get moreso.

Watching: Since my dad started watching BSG, I started watching it ALL OVER AGAIN (I know!) so that when he calls me and says OH MY GOD I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS JUST HAPPENED, I know specifically what episode he's talking about (and in what order) and I don't accidentally give away a spoiler like I almost did the other night... Of course I have way more time in my day than he has in his, so I've already gotten past where he is. Maybe I'll wait for him to catch up. I mean, I so would, except for there being fucking nothing else for me to watch right now. And I saw "Wanted" which I loved as much as I thought I would and maybe I'll write a post on that for ya say over the long-ass holiday weekend during which I HAVE TO WORK ON SUNDAY and will not be in Southern Illinois with all my Blonde K-Cousins as I like to call 'em. Waah.

Listening: I listened to Matt Costa (which I mentioned here and here among other places) all weekend long, over and over, after introducing someone to him on Thursday night when we were at my house "playing DJ" since we thought we were going to see Meg Hutchinson at Uncommon Ground but she wasn't there (???) and instead there were these really pretty mediocre singers basically doing karaoke and I'm sorry but Alanis Morrisette "You Oughta Know" done on acoustic guitar with a husky Melissa Etheridge wannabe voice and admonitions to the audience to please "Join in!" ??? I don't think so.

But now I'm listening almost exclusively to the NEW! Earlimart "Hymn and Her" out yesterday that is AWESOME. Oh I love me some Earlimart (for example, this is how much I loved their previous album and here is where they were in my favorite albums of 2007) and Hello! Score! coming to Chicago on the 26th at the teeny tiny Hideout. Woot. Yes, I bought tickets. Yay! (Or, as a former coworker would say "I'm stoked!")

Oh and while the whole "Meg Hutchinson not being playing although that's the only reason we went" issue sucked, I did have some incredible pistachio-encrusted tilapia that pretty much blew my mind and this wacky french Apple-flavored beer that was DELISH. So there's that.

Posted by Duff at 11:57 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, Flicks, TVTVTV, Tunes

June 30, 2008

À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for June.

Bought:

• Raven's Strike, by Patricia Briggs
  
• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion, by David Bassom
  
• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season 2, by David Bassom
  
• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season 3, by David Bassom
  
• Breath, by Tim Winton
  
• Nothing to Lose, by Lee Child
  

Read:

• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion, by David Bassom
  
• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season 2, by David Bassom
  
• War with the Newts, by Karel Capek
  
• Raven's Shadow, by Patricia Briggs
  
• The Farther Shore, by Matthew Eck
  
• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season 3, by David Bassom
  
• Raven's Strike, by Patricia Briggs
  
• Life Class, by Pat Barker
  
• Lush Life, by Richard Price
  
• Dark Roots, by Cate Kennedy (stories)
  
• Nothing to Lose, by Lee Child
  

Hmmm, I think that's the first month since I started keeping track that I've actually read more than I bought. WOOOT!

Posted by Duff at 08:15 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Hornby-esque, Lists

June 25, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

So I have officially declared Wednesdays to be the "Currently" update date. Completely official until next time I forget and just don't do it, which will most likely be next week! Ha!

Eating: I'm kinda obsessed with the Poblano Fresco (with Chicken) sandwich at Corner Bakery right now. Which is unfortunate being that it's 900 calories (NO JOKE) which is a lot to spend on one sandwich when you are pretending to only eat 1500 calories a day...

Making: A second "vest" type garment made out of super thick, super warm, wool. Because that's totally what you are looking for in clothing right? Something with short sleeves that's super hot?

Reading: Just finished ""Lush Life" by Richard Price (v.v.good) and was reading short stories from Cate Kennedy "Dark Roots" except I didn't realize how close to the end I was and finished it on the El this morning (only 182 pages and BIG print). So crap, I'm not reading ANYTHING right this second and you know I am antsy to get home and dig into the bookshelves and get moving!

Watching: Nothing. I don't think I've turned on the TV this week. (Oh except to put in BSG discs which I've started over again for the third & fourth times (depending on the episode) and am now mid-season 2. I like to be watching around where my dad is watching so when he calls I can remember the stuff he's raving about.) I am waiting for this weekend where I WILL see WANTED, I tell you now.

Listening: Listening to the (still relatively) new Death Cab and also Fleet Foxes and Shearwater and Joseph Arthur and Port O'Brien and Madonna and Missy Higgins and Candy Butchers... I'm all over the place. I am thinking deep thoughts about a mix someone requested so I'll be poking about a bit until I get that done.

Posted by Duff at 10:10 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

June 23, 2008

EW #s 999/1000 (the new classics)

Ack, I really hate this issue. No reviews, no "here's what's coming out" and endless lists to disagree with.

Example #1: They call "On Beauty" Zadie Smith's "third--and finest" book. I loved her first ("White Teeth") book and liked her second ("The Autograph Man") one a LOT and the third one? Not much at all.

Example #2: BSG is #59. Behind Pee-wee's Playhouse? Melrose Place? 90210? Come on.

The only things I liked (and oddly, liked a lot):

• Brigette Lacombe's photo spread (she shoots still on movie sets. now THAT's a job I could get into)
  
• Danny Clinch's photo spread (rock stars)
  
• Will Arnett's "New Classics That Made Me Cry"
  
• The photo of Rainn Wilson as Xena: Warrior Princess. I might buy that a frame.

Posted by Duff at 06:20 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Rags, TVTVTV

Fantasy: Raven's Shadow and Raven's Strike, by Patricia Briggs

Yes, I'm on a bit of a Patricia Briggs kick (first the Mercy Thompson books, then the dragon books I read last month (known together as "the Hurog books"); these are known as "the Raven duology."

Reminiscent of Robert Jordan with the magic and the travelers and the sense of class/caste between magic(al) and not... As with the Hurog books, the characters in these books are so real and so easy to engage with, and the story becomes even more believable as it evolves.

The first book establishes the relationship that the second book gives you the payoff for. The enlargement of the magic world in book two is done just so, so well. Jess is my favorite (not just Jess, but the Guardian as well) but all the "orders" have their attractions.

If you like fantasy, you should be reading these. (And if you like "good literature" but haven't been reading fantasy because you didn't know which ones to read, this is a good place for you to start.)

Posted by Duff at 05:31 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: The Farther Shore, by Matthew Eck

I'll go back to my initial reaction: Welcome to the new generation of war novelists. Tactile and gritty and completely engrossing.

A bombed-out Middle Eastern city. An isolated military unit. Sand and desert winds and sweat and dehydration and confusion. The byplay between fear and confidence.

While it is what every good war novel is...it is also something of its own. Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 05:24 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

June 18, 2008

Best of May

The best movie I saw in May was Iron Man and it was fucking awesome and definitely the best movie I've seen this year (not that I've seen many) and it's so good that even the second time around when you go to a crap ass neighborhood theater and the projector breaks and you have to watch the middle 20 minutes in two-minute increments, it's STILL brilliant. Are you coming to Chicago? I'd be happy to go to it again!

The best books I read in May were the one-two punch of Dragon Bones and Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs. Magical and mysterious and yet so human and irresistibly attractive. If only I could have jumped into these books and become an auxiliary character (Another "cousin" for Ward? A romantic interest for Oreg?)... She ranks right up there with Elizabeth A. Lynn as my favorite current fantasy writers.

The best gig I went to in May was probably a tie between the Long Blondes (for actual "best") and Crowded House (for playing some of my all-time most beloved songs).

My favorite tunes in May....Honestly, I was soooo busy watching BSG over and over (see below), I really didn't do much listening in May. Which would be why I'm now working on listening to all the many many albums I bought but did not listen to in April, May and (thus far in) June all at once. Doh!

Random personal highlights: MDS&W, not the greatest, but I did get to see my peeps. I watched like* every episode of Battlestar Galactica. Twice. (Or more, depending on how much I loved the episode and how much screen time my current celebrity boyfriend Tahmoh Penikett had ha ha ha ha ha.) I went to visit my nephews. Met my newest cousin! And I got many back/shoulder massages at physical therapy (but see lowlights as well).

Lowlights? Physical therapy: a) the need for it, b) the stretching and lifting and pulling, ow, ow, ow, c) the ice. Hate the ice!! Had to skip a concert (Avett Brothers). Continuing buttloads of stress at the secondary browsing location.

*like used purely for valley girl emphasis, and not to approximate any less than ALL.

Posted by Duff at 10:14 AM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Flicks, TVTVTV, Tunes

June 17, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Bing cherries. Yum! (1 cup = about 85 calories. Not bad!)

Making: Trying to finish the second sock of a pair started...a million months ago. Before I move on to finishing up Kysa's Friendship Star quilt, since I finished Ame's yesterday! Woot!

Reading: Just finished "Life Class" by Pat Barker (very good) and have moved on to "Lush Life" by Richard Price. It's good. But then again, what book of his isn't.

Watching: Just watched season 1 of Burn Notice on Hulu (Dear Hulu, how 'bout you try to get Everwood, seasons 1-4? Thanks!). Eh. I don't like the lead at all, I hate that everything he says in the voiceovers is in his smarmy, self-satisified tone of voice. But I'd love to be skinny, strong and sassy, like Gabrielle Anwar. So there's that. Since the insanely stupid Sci Fi channel is not going to show the rest of BSG season 4 until fucking next fucking year, I have to find something to watch this summer, before I die of fucking boredom. So I figured if I'm going to be stuck watching season 2 of Burn Notice, I might as well have watched season 1 first.

Listening: Listening to lots of Joseph Arthur (man of many recent EPs) and still obsessing over Meg Hutchinson's latest, as well as some singles from Tristan Prettyman and this very theatrical, dramatic album "Songs from the Deep Forest" by Duke Special that I picked up one day after reading Largeheartedboy's blog where he linked to an interview of someone who recommended this (Paul Weller? maybe?) but I can't remember who or where. It has a similar tone/feel to the soundtrack to "Spring Awakening" or the Buffy musical episode "Once More with Feeling".

Posted by Duff at 05:44 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

June 11, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Mixed Berry Chewy Spree. Which I'm sure are sour only to me, and holy crap they're making my face burn up. Could be allergic to them. Better eat 20 more to make sure.

Making: Still the blindstitching to go on Amy's quilt and so close to being done w/ an elongated Cloud bolero (ravelry link) although at this point I'm fairly convinced I'll never wind up wearing the thing. Everyone thinks I should wear it with a tanktop but in what weather conditions do a tank top and a wool lacey vest deal go together?

Reading: "The Farther Shore" by Matthew Eck which is really, really good. Welcome to the new generation of war novelists. Tactile and gritty and completely engrossing.

Watching: Battlestar Galactica (old and new) over and over again. And the one and only season of Standoff on Hulu. DAMN, it still pisses me off they cancelled that show. I love episode 2 possibly the best*, but the end of episode 3 is totally (romantically) awesome (Hello, Band of Horses), and also the ends of episodes 12 and 18, just so you know.

Listening: Listening to lots of Joe Purdy (as I may have mentioned), as well as Sea Wolf after seeing their brilliant show last week, (hmmm, which I thought I had written up but apparently not) and Meg Hutchinson. Have bought tons of new stuff; maybe I'll start listening to that over the weekend. I mean, if I can be unslackerish enough to roll off the couch and press play. I've got big relaxation plans going on over here.

*Am I the only one who loves things the "best" rather than the "most"? Where'd I pick that up? I know one of you is to blame. CCB, was it you?

Posted by Duff at 11:30 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

June 09, 2008

Fiction: War with the Newts, by Karel Capek

Our June challenge book.

Really sharp political/societal commentary. First section is really rollicking fun. Second and third, a bit darker. Sometimes very sad.

Poignantly predictable, in a way, given world history now in 2008, but probably less predictable and more predictive in its time (first published in 1936).

Loved it.

By the way, Capek is the dude who came up with (created? originated? whateva!) the word "Robot" (in his play R.U.R.). This is also the first book to cause some random stranger to come up and talk to me on public transportation IN MY LIFE and given that I have 5 yrs in Chitown and 13 yrs in NYC reading on public transit every work day, that's saying something.

Posted by Duff at 04:37 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, Readin', Recommending

Short Stories: The Collected Stories, by Isaac Bashevis Singer

The May challenge book. I had the '96 Farrar Straus edition so we went off its TOC for what we read (Dad has the Complete vs. the Collected).

Very entertaining, really liked a lot of them. Intensely detailed, plotted down to the last moment (even when there's not much of a plot), really great dialogue, and lots and lots of crazy neurotics ("The Admirer", for example. nuts!).

That said, they were arranged (way) too thematically. I mean four or five stories into dybbuks and devils tormenting innocent jews (I really didn't realize there were that many devils in Judaic tradition) and they all start to seem a little too much the same (and you've still got another 20 on that topic to go). Then at the other end of the book, all the NYC stories were lumped together as well. Mixing the disparate types together might have made it an more enjoyable read (or I could have instituted my own mix and read out of order, but how was I to know they were grouped by type?) -- not that it wasn't enjoyable, but there were definitely stories where I thought "another one of these? just like the last four? really?".

When you get to the NYC stories, there are quite a few where you suddenly see the influence he's had on Philip Roth. "Old Love" for example shares so many of Roth's current themes and similar personal details on the part of the protagonist. Dad thinks Singer (rather than Malamud) is really the model for Roth's E.I. Lonoff (an elder writer who appears in some of Roth's Zuckerman books).

Posted by Duff at 04:14 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, Readin'

June 05, 2008

EW#995/996 (Mad Men)

My personal favorite Sydney Pollack (RIP) movie? "Three Days of the Condor" without a doubt.

Album: Mason Jennings "In the Ever"

Book: "Dear American Airlines" Jonathan Miles. Sounds hilarious. I've spent many an hour stuck in O'Hare myself.

Book (new Jack Reacher): "Nothing to Lose" Lee Child. I might have to buy this one in hardback.

Book (recommended in Stephen King's column): "The Garden of Last Days" Andrew Dubus III

Posted by Duff at 10:35 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, Tunes

EW #991 (fake Bushes)

Book: "The Boat" Nam Le (stories)

Book: "Red Car" Sallie Bingham (stories)

Book: "Hotel Crystal" Olivier Rollin

And Diablo Cody highly recommends the Scorsese/Stones documentary "Shine a Light" but sadly I think it's already come and gone from Chicago while I wasn't paying attention. Moron (me).

Posted by Duff at 10:32 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags

June 03, 2008

À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for May.

Bought:

• Just One Look, by Harlan Coben
  
• Bad Luck and Trouble, by Lee Child
  
• A Circle Is a Balloon and Compass Both, by Ben Greenman (stories)
  
• Bad Luck and Trouble, by Lee Child (whoops)
  
• Sleeping It Off in Rapid City, by August Kleinzahler (poetry)
  
• Unmentionables, by Beth Ann Fennelly (poetry)
  
• Dragon Blood, by Patricia Briggs
  
• Raven's Shadow, by Patricia Briggs
  
• One False Move, by Harlan Coben
  
• The Final Detail, by Harlan Coben
  

Read:

• Just One Look, by Harlan Coben
  
• Bad Luck and Trouble, by Lee Child
  
• Slam, by Nick Hornby
  
• The Devil of Nanking, by Mo Hayder
  
• Dragon Bones, by Patricia Briggs
  
• Dragon Blood, by Patricia Briggs
  
• One False Move, by Harlan Coben
  
• The Final Detail, by Harlan Coben
  
• The Collected Stories, by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Posted by Duff at 04:40 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Hornby-esque, Lists

May 29, 2008

Best of April

Just in time for June!!

The best movie I saw in April was Leatherheads, which might seem like it's not saying much since how hard is it to be the best of only two, but on the other hand, I thought it was really really good. It's not its fault my lack of movie viewing didn't give it much competition.

The best book I read in April was Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos but Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Goff was also good and a bit more high-brow if that's what you're looking for.

The best gig I went to in April was Bon Iver. A beautiful album done even more beautifully live.

My favorite tunes in April.... You know, at this point I'm not sure what I was listening to then, probably stuff I bought in February and/or March. The memory, it ain't what it used to be.

Random personal highlights: The yearly trip to Portland, yay, including burgers, beers and brunch; trying out my new camera (Hasselblad, yo). Not much else good happened; it was a rough month.

Lowlights? Had the punes; which seemingly caused a mysterious shoulder injury (look for "physical therapy" in May's highlights); had a LOTLOTLOT of stress at the secondary browsing location. And, I'm sure, airport delays on the way to Portland because you KNOW planes are delayed in every direction if I am flying on them.

Posted by Duff at 01:42 PM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Flicks, Tunes

May 24, 2008

Mystery: One False Move, by Harlan Coben

Burning through mysteries in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

The next in the Myron Bolitar series (after these). Still enjoying these, but not quite as much thanks to throwaway paragraphs with pedantic tones like this one:

"Win waited by Myron's car. He was bent slightly at the waist, practicing his golf swing. He did not have a club or a ball, of course. Remember blasting rock music and jumping on your bed and playing air guitar? Golfers do the same thing. They hear some internal sounds of nature, step on imaginary first tees, and swing air clubs. Air woods usually. Sometimes, when they want more control, they take air irons out of the air bags. And like teens with air guitars, golfers like to watch themselves in mirrors..."

Seriously? Do tell. Who is the audience for that? Or, better yet, who does the writer think his audience is that he needs to write that? You can, indeed, take dumbing down a bit too far.

Dear Harlan Coben,
There aren't that many Myron Bolitar books after this one. So I'm sure I'll keep reading them up until the end. Because I like Myron. And I love Win, despite the fact that he's a raving psychopath. (He makes Joe Pike look well adjusted.) But seriously? You can do better than that.
Sincerely,
who would've thought golf could be made more boring than it actually is,
CMS

Posted by Duff at 05:19 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Letters, Readin'

Fantasy: Dragon Blood, by Patricia Briggs

Burning through fantasy in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

The follow-up to Dragon Bones. Equally rewarding, if not more so for getting to spend more time with these characters.

She's currently my favorite fantasy writer and I cannot recommend these (and the Mercy Thompson books) enough.

Posted by Duff at 05:17 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fantasy: Dragon Bones, by Patricia Briggs

Burning through fantasy in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

I've recommended her modern day fantasy to you before. Now I can highly recommend her more traditionally set (you know that whole medieval-type, middle age-sort of world that so much fantasy is set in; similar to the worlds of Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, among others) fantasy as well.

LOVED this book. Absolutely loved. In love with Ward, with Oreg, completely sucked in by the myth and the magic. Beautiful. Some kinda icky torture (physical and psychological), that just makes you care even more deeply about these characters. Wow.

Posted by Duff at 05:14 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Mystery: The Devil of Nanking, by Mo Hayder

Burning through mysteries in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

Really erotic and sexy...but sometimes in a very icky way. Spooky premise, creepy surroundings, and a very messed up girl. Not for the faint of heart. Not to be read at night alone in the dark.

Posted by Duff at 05:12 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: Slam, by Nick Hornby

A younger version of the main characters from "About a Boy" and "High Fidelity" (two very beloved books 'round here. Although you may remember, I do NOT love some of his others; and I only love the movie of ONE of those).

Easy, honest, open...with a wee little bit of fantasy future thrown in. Liked it, but didn't always love it, sometimes frustrated by it. As with all teenage boys, right?

Posted by Duff at 05:08 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: Bad Luck and Trouble, by Lee Child

Reading mysteries in the offhours while burning through this month's challenge book.

The latest Jack Reacher (or latest in paperback at least). Jack Reacher is my dream...everything he is in the books with Tahmoh Penikett's body, looks, voice, etc. Perfect!

Posted by Duff at 05:04 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: Just One Look, by Harlan Coben

Since this month's challenge is back to short stories, I find myself breaking it up a bit with short&sweet mystery novels. I know, right? Bizarre.

Anyways....I was reading for the next Myron Bolitar book but couldn't find it on my way to the airport, so had to settle for a non-Myron Bolitar, the first stand-alone Coben I've read.

I liked some of the characters, I liked the "figuring it out" stuff. But I thought the main mystery was both too convoluted and too improbable to really work. Too many moving parts. Still kept you intrigued...but like an badly plotted action movie that wows you while you're IN IT, but is too easy to pick apart afterward.

Posted by Duff at 05:01 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: Fade Away and Back Spin, both by Harlan Coben

Books 3 and 4 in the Myron Bolitar series (1, 2). Still enjoying these.

In some ways, Win's character makes these much more violent than your average mystery (is that why I like them?). And the ongoing confusion of the Jessica situation also adds an intensity. But I'm not sure why temptation always has to be a part of it. The come-back scenario in Fade Away was really bittersweet.

Posted by Duff at 04:53 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: The Death of Virgil, by Hermann Broch

The April challenge book. Certainly the toughest read so far, for both Dad and me.

The language is rich, gorgeous and elegaic; much like reading Virgil himself (or Homer. or Ovid). It's dreamy and powerful and image-full. But...

Part 1: Interesting. Lovely imagery and prose. Nice.

Part 2: Interminable. Almost the death of ME, let alone Virgil. Sentences so long, you can't remember where they began or if anything has even happened in them. And what? Did he just suggest burning the Aeneid? WHAT?!?!

Part 3: Hey, there's some stuff happening again! Still a very high-toned literary experience, but now the drama with Octavian really pulls things along. Some very neat imagery, the landscape arising out of nothing (much easier to do in film than in prose). His yearning is so strong, you can really feel it. [According to Dad the slave boy and Plotia play a very similar role here to that of Jessica Lange in "All That Jazz." I was then castigated for not having seen that recently enough to be able to agree (or not). p.s. just between you, world wide web, and me, I'm not even sure I've ever seen it all the way through!] Really enjoyable.

Part 4: Ugh, we're back to part 2-like process again. Dad: "It's like 2001 the Space Odyssey. At first it's kinda cool and then after a while you just get really, really bored." Me: Hard to know what's happening here, when he's actually dead, what is dream sequence vs. reality vs. post-mortem? (And in this part, hard to care. If this was written like Part 3, I'd be all over it!)

Glad to have read it, but certainly never going to need to read it again. Definitely a challenge.

Posted by Duff at 04:41 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, DadReaction, Readin'

Fiction: The Monsters of Templeton, by Lauren Groff

Bought this one in an airport due at least partly to its paper-cut-out looking cover (Yo, Chicken, you would LOVE it, have you seen it????) and its Stephen King blurb.

Definitely fits into that "damaged girl comes home, solves mystery" genre (like Sharp Objects but a little less dark).

I have some misgivings: some of the characters made me a little crazy; I'm not sure the historical stuff ever really found its way IN to the story / didn't quite coalesce; and there's at least one character who I, and I would assume many readers feel this way, still have outstanding concerns about as the book ends.

But I liked the tone, I liked the focus on academia, the almost, but not quite, high-browed literariness of it. And I loved the contrast between the unmonstrousness of the actual monster and the metaphoricness of the Monsters of the title. Some stuff really well done. Very textured and tactile.

Posted by Duff at 04:33 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos

The second in a (somewhat loose) series about Cornelia (and, now, Teo). I liked the first book, but didn't love it. I LOVED this one.

Less Claire in this book, although still importantly part of it. Dev was a great character, scenes with him really shone.

Easy, natural conversational tone that just sucked me right in, I could barely put it down. Laughed with it, cried with it. Ouch. Friendships, families, what makes them, what breaks them. Many similar themes to the earlier book. But, in my opinion, much better written and handled. Definitely a step up.

Recommended.

Posted by Duff at 04:29 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

May 14, 2008

Paste #42

Tunes to Check Out:

• Cass McCombs "Dropping the Write" *
  
• Little Birdy "Hollywood" (Aussies, part '80s goth)*
  
• The Republic Tigers "Keep Color" (Eno/Death Cab/XTC)*
  
• The Death Set (punk)
  
• Ashleigh Flynn "American Dream" (country-blues flavored)
  
• Foy Nance "Hope"
  
• Micah Dalton "Pawn Shop"
  
• Billy Bragg "Mr. Love & Justice" ("wiser & more playful approach than ever")
  
• Colour Revolt "Plunder, Beg and Curse"
  
• M83 "Saturdays = Youth"

*recommended by Alexandra Patsavas (music supervisor "Grey's etc)

They did NOT like either the new Counting Crows ("Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings") or Griffin House ("Flying Upside Down"). As to the former, I don't think it's a great album, but it's certainly better than their last, and I enjoy a couple of the fast songs. I could do without the second half. And as to the latter, I agree, the album is kinda boring...but I've seen him do those songs live twice now and I loved it both times. It's mixed blandly / maybe he needs a new production team / but until he puts out a live album, this is what's out there. (And I really like the song "I Remember (It's Happening Again)" which they clearly hated [they call it a "ham-fisted anti-war anthem"].)

Book: "The Hakawati" by Rabih Alameddine

Posted by Duff at 01:31 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Rags, Tunes

May 09, 2008

EW #988/989 (summer movie preview)

Definitely Planning to See:

• 5/2 Ironman (the 'rents really liked it)
  
• 5/9 What Happens in Vegas (Looks funny. Maybe the next "A Lot Like Love"?)
  
• 5/9 The Tracy Fragments (Ellen Page)
  
• 5/22 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (I'm kinda pissy they're even doing this...but I'm probably going to go see it anyway. Pleased that Karen Allen is the girl they chose to bring back though.)
  
• 5/30 Sex & the City (Would like to see the story end)
  
• 6/13 The Happening (dir Shymalan, M. Wahlberg, Z. Deschanel) (I don't know why people are laughing through the previews, I think it looks awesome)
  
• 6/20 Get Smart (perfect role for "Michael")
  
• 6/27 Wanted (Angelina Jolie back in an action movie again plus James McAvoy, looks awesome!)
  
• 7/2 Hancock (W. Smith, J. Bateman, dir P Berg)
  
• 7/18 The Dark Knight (H. Ledger's last role)
  

Perhaps, We'll See:

• 5/2 Son of Rambow (hear it's really funny)
  
• 6/13 The Incredible Hulk (it is Ed Norton after all)
  
• 7/4 Diminished Capacity (M. Broderick, A. Alda, V. Madsen)
  
• 7/11 Hellboy II: Golden Army (actually enjoyed the first one)
  
• 7/25 American Teen (eh, maybe)
  
• 7/25 Brideshead Revisited (so not interested in the story/plot/whatever, but totally interested in Matthew Goode)
  
• 7/25 The X-Files (I didn't watch it that often, not sure I know enough of the underlying mythology to go to this)
  
• 8/1 The Rocker ("Dwight"!)
  
• 8/8 Pineapple Express (I think I will hate this (#2 below) but James Franco is so pretty)
  
• 8/15 Tropic Thunder (maybe not. I like Ben Stiller so much more when he's not trying so hard to be funny ("Flirting with Disaster" "Keeping the Faith")
  
• 8/29 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (latest Woody Allen)
  

No Thanks, Definitely Not:

• Baby Mama (#1: I am so sick of the "I am X age and I MUST have a baby" bullshit. Fuck you, babyNEEDers.)
  
• Mama Mia (give me a break. Stupid songs made into stupid nonsensical no plot broadway show now made into movie. Seriously?)
  
• The Love Guru (#2: I hate this kind of movie)
  
• You Don't Mess with the Zohan (see above #2)
  
• Miss Conception (see above #1)
  
• Step Brothers (see above #2)
  
• Baghead (Seriously?)
  
• Towelhead (Sure sexual abuse is a reality; but I don't go to the movies for that kind of reality. Dear Aaron Eckhart, please make a movie where I can see you be yummy instead of yucky?)
  

Book: "Child 44" by Tom Rob Smith (sounds really good!)

Posted by Duff at 01:13 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags

May 02, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Loads of crap-ass horrible-for-you but oh-so-good-tasting food.

Making: Not a motherfucking thing.

Reading: Finishing up "Slam" by Nick Hornby so I can move on to the May challenge book before Dad gets too far ahead of me!!! (Finished April in the nick of time but haven't written it up yet.)

Watching: This week's episodes of: Bros & Sis (middling); Bones (eh, stupid babies); Gossip Girl (hmm OK); How I Met Your Mother (awesome); CSI NY (lame); CSI (awesome); Lost (motherfucking awesomely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!); The Office (pretty good); 30 Rock (eh); Grey's (sucked ass). Did I watch anything else this week? I just can't remember.

Listening: New albums from The Weepies (yes!); Madonna (some!); Fleet Foxes (LOVE!); and lots of other stuff (check several recent Tunes posts).

Posted by Duff at 10:20 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for April.

Bought:

• A Plea for Eros, by Siri Hustvedt
  
• Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos
  
• The Philosopher's Apprentice by James Morrow
  
• Seven Notebooks, by Campbell McGrath (poetry)
  
• Fade Away, by Harlan Coben
  
• Back Spin, by Harlan Coben
  
• The Last Kashmiri Rose, by Barbara Cleverly
  
• The Devil of Nanking, by Mo Hayder
  

Read:

• The Watchman, a Joe Pike novel, by Robert Crais
  
• Drop Shot, by Harlan Coben
  
• Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos
  
• The Monsters of Templeton, by Lauren Groff
  
• Fade Away, by Harlan Coben
  
• The Death of Virgil, by Hermann Broch
  
• Back Spin, by Harlan Coben
  

Posted by Duff at 09:47 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Hornby-esque, Lists

April 24, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Ginger ale and saltines and that's about it. I expect that to change over the weekend though. Look out Moody's, here I come.

Making: Nada. Been shootin' some film.

Reading: Dad's and my March challenge book for the month "The Death of Virgil" by Hermann Brach, the first to really be a fucking challenge to read. Abstractly, it is beautiful and elegaic and almost like reading Virgil himself. But the act of reading it...is tough. Not always what I want on the El, my main reading time. Dad was struggling too...until he burst ahead, read the last 40 pages and called me to crow! Dang! Have taken a few breaks for some others, but now I've really got to buckle down. Month's almost over!

Watching: Fresh TV. Ah. As welcome as Spring. Bones, I've missed you. Also obsessively watching both NEW and VERY OLD CSI. I know, right? Catching up on season and rewatching whatever season (2003?) is currently showing from about 4-7 on SPIKE TV. Watching it so much, DNA is all I can think about, everywhere I am, everything I touch, "whoops, just left a little DNA right there, hope no one gets murdered on this corner later..." Oh and season 1 Battlestar Galactica. Fuckin' awesome. Helo is my fave. Season 2 better get here lickety split (if you think I didn't leave the sickbed to go feverishly, deliriously hunting for it in the 'hood the other night, you are way wrong).

Listening: Dang, I've been watching so much BSG and CSI, listenin' has had a tough time staying in the game this week. I haven't even listened to most of the CDs I bought in Japan, as someone just reminded me! That said, I'm loving the new album from Meg Hutchinson I bought at her show the other night. And by loving I mean ouch, my heart just broke into 100 pieces but play it again, would ya? Also loving two recent EPs by Joseph Arthur, one all distorty and dark and the other less dark but as melancholy as always (and love it so). Got a lot of new stuff waitin' in the wings. More to say soon! Seriously!

Posted by Duff at 01:18 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Currently, TVTVTV, Tunes

April 18, 2008

Best of March

Ah, March, I barely remember you... Ha! Kidding!

The best movie I saw in March was also the only movie I saw (Be Kind, Rewind), so good thing I enjoyed it.

The best book I read in March was definitely The Complete Stories by David Malouf. Really wonderful stories.

The best gig I went to in March is harder to pin down. I was excited to finally see Matt Nathanson and (separately) Dan le Sac. I thought the Raveonettes sounded great. I probably enjoyed Griffin House the most as he was all sassy and laidback and it was a really fun night.

My favorite tunes in March were lots of stuff I was already listening to from February, like new albums from Missy Higgins, Nada Surf, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Bon Iver, Mike Doughty and the Raveonettes; but also stuff I bought in March like new albums from Jesse Malin "Glitter in the Gutter" (which I lovelovelove), Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks and Gnarls Barkley (DangerMouse can do no wrong)!!

Random personal highlights: Hmmm, let's see, nine-day trip to Japan, I guess that was kind-of a highlight (I guess! Ha!); my newest/youngest cousin was born!: Clark and I had a joint party; and I had a great long Saturday with Carlos and Shei getting back into shooting film (vs. digital).

Lowlights? Long, long, long airplane rides.

Posted by Duff at 10:15 AM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Flicks, Tunes

April 15, 2008

EW #987 (Tina Fey)

Flick (next Fall): "Righteous Kill" - Pacino & DeNiro as veteran NYPD detectives who resume the hunt for a mass murderer after 30 years off the case.

Book: "Our Story Begins" by Tobias Wolff

Movies I want to see no matter the EW reviews (not just in this issue): Leatherheads (my Dad loved it); Smart People; Street Kings (Keanu!).

Hmmm: Phantom Planet "Raise the Dead" (B+, very positive review)

Book: "Girls in Trucks" Katie Crouch

Book: "The Outlander" Gil Adamson

Posted by Duff at 07:07 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, Tunes

EW #986 (Ellen)

CD: The Kills "Midnight Boom" (described as "dirty-sexy")

Book: "The Finder" by Colin Harrison

Only two albums reviewed? Wha?

Book: "The Genius" by Jesse Kellerman. Gets a B+ here. Gets a more enthusiastic review here.

Comic: "Secret Invasion" Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Yu

Posted by Duff at 06:56 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Rags, Tunes

April 13, 2008

Mystery: "Drop Shot" by Harlan Coben

And another little break...

The second in the Myron Bolitar series. The fact that Myron is a sports agent and lawyer rather than your more typical PI or retired cop/military just soooo works for me in these books. But of course Win is my favorite character (Joe Pike but without conscience? Or questionable conscience?). I did figure out one part of the mystery a lot earlier than Myron, and not sure if I like being the one to figure it out, I am happy when the book fools me to the end sometimes. Still very enjoyable.

Posted by Duff at 03:10 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: "The Watchman" by Robert Crais

Taking a little break from the "big" book I am reading [I'll do a "currently" post soon]...

Subtitled "A Joe Pike Novel" which makes me hope (HOPEHOPE) that implies an entire series focused on Pike.

I thought the Elvis Crais books were draggin' a little, getting too caught up in Elvis' personal life and not enough focus on the mysteries. This was a refreshing change; Pike is such an engimatic dude. The only comparable character for me is Jack Reacher and I would actually run off with Pike first if given the choice.

He's fierce and fearless and smart and determined and crazy ass cool. I keep warning my dad I am soooo tempted to get matching deltoid arrows...

Posted by Duff at 03:07 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fantasy: "The Tourmaline" by Paul Park

Second in the series I started in March.

Some really dark and twisted stuff in here, in such a cool way. All spicy and bitter with emotion and imagination. I am enjoying them a great deal. [Another one already bought and in the TBR pile!]

Posted by Duff at 03:05 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: "The Murder at the Vicarage" by Agatha Christie

Another English language pickup in Kyoto, I was really getting desperate for reading material there at the end. (And you know I had to save something for the plane!)

The first Miss Marple, when she's just annoying as hell and only one person in the story even seems to realize that although annoying, she's probably right. (You know, versus later on, when she's still as annoying but people heed her advice because of her track record.)

Posted by Duff at 03:01 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Nonfiction: "Let's Talk About Love; A Journey to the End of Taste" by Carl Wilson

Part of the 33 1/3 series (details here or here).

There is much more to this book than you might think. Truly a philosophical treatise on not just Celine and her music (and importance or not); but on personal taste, crowd reaction, social commentary... The level of research was pretty impressive and the combination of sarcasm and thoughtfulness had a nice smooth tone. Doesn't make me anymore interested in listening to Dion's music, but that's not really the point.

Posted by Duff at 02:57 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: "The Naming of the Dead" by Ian Rankin

Not really sure where I am in this series, I may have skipped ahead a few books to read this one, but I was out of reading material and this was the only thing in the "english books" section of that particular store in Kyoto that I wanted to read.

Rebus is still the same disreputable mess as always, but the byplay between him and Siobhan here is great, felt very refreshing and upbeat from the last one I read. And the ins and outs of the mystery here were really well done.

Posted by Duff at 02:55 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Fiction: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" by Winifred Watson

Charming, fun, lively, light. Great dialogue. Engaging.

Posted by Duff at 02:54 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Mystery: "The Hunt Ball" and "The Hounds and the Fury" by Rita Mae Brown

Two more in the Sister Jane Hall/Jefferson Hunt Club series (got started a few years ago with an Xmas present).

I liked both of these for the things I've liked before: the intrigue and details of the mystery, the awesome dogs and horses and the foxes (I love the foxes) and their reactions and relations and really vital role in the story. Man I love reading the scenes with Cora and Dasher. The hunt scenes are really wonderful and atmospheric, take you right into the thick of things.

And I didn't like the same stuff that bugs me in each of these books: Sister Jane's incredible self-satisifed-ness and the "how to be upstanding and moral" lessons that crop up throughout. Often has a very pedantic feel. Too preachy and often those paragraphs aren't even in any particular character's voice so they really throw you right out of the action.

Posted by Duff at 02:50 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin'

Short Stories: The Complete Stories by David Malouf

The March selection in Dad's and my reading challenge. I had read a few Malouf novels so this was one of my suggestions.

LOVED it. [Both of us did.] Had no idea going in, but the dude is a MASTER of the technique and these are certainly some of the best stories I've ever read, and probably the best overall collection. [Dad might not be QUITE as nutty about them as I am.]

Seems he can write from any angle, any point of view: young boy, middle-aged woman, loner, popularity queen, happy, sad, criminal, just. The atmosphere is rich and vivid (and reeks of Australia, I could feel myself there again). The language is thick and layered and sensual [reminded Dad of D.H. Lawrence stories]. Really beautiful. In many stories, a BIG event has taken place "offscreen" (never to be known), with the focus on the human reactions and following chain of effects.

My favorite stories were: "Every Move You Make", "The Domestic Cantata", "Sally's Story", "Great Day", and "A Traveller's Tale".

Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 02:42 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, DadReaction, Readin', Recommending

April 02, 2008

EW #985 (Speed Racer)

Definitely interested in seeing "Stop Loss" after reading this interview with the director.

Pacey's movie "Shutter" gets only a C-. :(

I've never watched Criminal Minds before but tonight's episode has steamy shower sex and Nicholas Brendon (in the same scene I hope!). I'm there, baby!

Album: "Blueberry Pancakes" Fink
Album: "Attack & Release" The Black Keys (gets an A- and it was DangerMouse produced.)
Check out? Los Campesinos (boy/girl harmonies, self produced zine)
Book: "The Finder" Colin Harrison (thriller/sounds awesome!)

Posted by Duff at 11:35 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, TVTVTV, Tunes

EW #984 (Desperate Housewives)

Some interesting tibdits about returning shows in the "Spring TV Preview". The only ones I find myself very psyched about are Gossip Girl (5 more) and Bones (6 more).

Album: "Pretty. Odd" Panic at the Disco (Hmmm. I thought their previous album was OK, kinda fun, but it never really made itself much a spot in the rotation.)

Album: "A Mad and Faithful Telling" DeVotchKa (Gets an A-)
Book: "Home" Julie Andrews (memoir) (Sounds pretty good!)
Book: "Our Story Begins" Tobias Wolff (stories) (I LOVED the book I read by him.)

Wow, someone's writing a four book series about Genghis Khan. Doesn't make me want to read it, but does make me think about rewatching the movie. Omar Sharif = Yum!! (Then. Not now.)

Posted by Duff at 10:48 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Rags, Tunes

April 01, 2008

À la Nick Hornby, books in/books out for March.

Bought:

• The Death of Sweet Mister, by Daniel Woodrell (used)
  
• The Great World, by David Malouf (used)
  
• The Conversations at Curlow Creek, by David Malouf (used)
  
• Confessions of a Recovering Slut, by Hollis Gillespie
  
• Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois
  
• The Fatal Gift, by Alec Waugh (used)
  
• A Spy in the Family, by Alec Waugh (used)
  
• The Ballad and the Source, by Rosamond Lehmann (used)
  
• The Music at Long Verney, by Silvia Townsend Warner (stories) (used)
  
• The Naming of the Dead, by Ian Rankin (in Japan, no access to my bookshelves!)
  
• The Murder at the Vicarage, by Agatha Christie (in Japan, no access to my bookshelves!)
  

Read:

• The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen Scientist, by Richard P. Feynman
  
• The Complete Stories, by David Malouf
  
• The Hunt Ball, by Rita Mae Brown
  
• The Hounds and the Fury, by Rita Mae Brown
  
• Ms. Pettigrew Lives for the Day, by Winifred Watson
  
• The Naming of the Dead, by Ian Rankin
  
• Let`s Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste, by Carl Wilson
  
• The Murder at the Vicarage, by Agatha Christie
  
• The Tourmaline, by Paul Park

Posted by Duff at 03:30 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Hornby-esque, Lists

March 18, 2008

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am...

Eating: Enough food to feed a third world country and that's what I'm eating for every meal. Just STARVING lately but presumably due to STRESS.

Making: Absofuckinglutely nothing. Made a little progress on Ame's friendship star beginning of last week. Since then: nuttin', honey.

Reading: Dad's and my March challenge short stories "The Complete Stories" by David Malouf which are breathtakingly good. Best short stories I've EVER read? I'm thinking so.

Watching: LOST which is fucking rocking my world. And other shows that really aren't as good: Jericho (OK, not great); New Amsterdam (really kinda bad but the dude is so watchable, what can a lonely girl do?); How I Met Your Mother (I do not call last night's episode returning with a bang, sorry kids) and some DVDs to help me out during the 2008 CD Reorganization Project, I'll try to pop in and tell you about them before I take off. Have had many plans to go to U2 3D over the past few weeks. All have fallen through. I hope it's still playing when I get home!

Listening: Obsessively to Jesse Malin "Glitter in the Gutter" which is in CONSTANT rotation, I just can't stop playing it. Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago" and Matt Costa "Unfamiliar Faces" are close seconds. Also getting to know the new Stephen Malkmus & the Jic