If you read this blog with any sort of regularity, you've seen me write about Doctor Who. I am a tad obsessed at the moment. With both Doctor Who and Torchwood. Well, some say obsessed (*cough*Jen*cough*) while I say a fan of. I started watching Doctor Who last spring. Not a very long time of fandom, but dedicated nonetheless.
How did I get into Doctor Who last year when it has been around for decades and the reboot has been around for going on six years? It is all my fellow tart's fault. Jenny had been telling me for months, years even, to watch Doctor Who. I had no interest in it really. I had seen the odd episode here or there (apparently I watched the first 2 or 3 episodes of series 1 at some point, but blocked it from my mind until I started watching them last year...it was weird to realize that I knew what was going to happen) and knew that David Tennant was hot and Christopher Eccelston was crazy awesome. But actually watching the show...meh. And then two things happened. I discovered the hilarious and hotness of John Barrowman and I got NetFlix.
I started reading a bit about Torchwood on Wikipedia and imdb. And I watched a few interview clips and show clips. And I saw that NetFlix had Torchwood on Instant Queue. So I decided that I had to watch it. But, how could I watch Torchwood without first watching Doctor Who? I mean, sure, I could. But I wanted the full experience. Captain Jack Harkness is in the second half of Series 1 of Doctor Who and Series 2 sets up Series 1 of Torchwood. I had already borrowed all the seasons of Doctor Who from Jenny, so I decided to start watching Doctor Who, just so I could get to Torchwood. And upon watching, I became obsessed with The Doctor and his companions and the aliens and all the crazy fun adventures that happen.
Doctor Who is a kid's show in the UK. Shocker, right? I mean, there is a lot of death, killing, scary monsters, etc. in a lot of the episodes. But really when you think about it, The Doctor isn't particularly violent (except again the Daleks), there is no blood, no swearing, no sex. It really is a fairly tame show. Except for the fact that some episodes scare the crap out of me! Torchwood is not a kid's show. I like to say that if you combine Doctor Who with True Blood you get Torchwood. It has a whole lot of sex and a whole lot of violence. Not a lot of swearing, really...only when it really is effective. I like both shows for different reasons. Torchwood gives me the grittiness and emotion that I like my shows to have, and Doctor Who gives me that fun sense of adventure and heart.
What attracts me most to the whole Doctor Who universe is just that, the universe. It is such a complex world. Time travel, space travel, alternate universes...it is all so cool. I mean, who doesn't want to hop in a police box and go see a Shakespeare play, presented by Shakespeare? Or see when the Earth is destroyed in 5 billion years? It is so awesome! I don't particularly believe in aliens as seen in Doctor Who, but how cool would it be if it were real? I love Doctor Who because it is a robust universe that you can get immersed in. It is so fantastical, yet all rooted in the heart and the sense of adventure and learning and trying something new. What better world to loose yourself in?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Review: May Day by Jess Lourey
Look at that! I read a book that wasn't chick lit/by Jennifer Crusie. See, I occasionally change it up. I stayed up way too late last night to finish May Day because I hit that point in the book of "OMG! I have to finish it and find out who the killer is and why right NOW!". Yeah...it was one of those books.
So, how did I pick this book? My mom suggested it to me. Or rather, she read it and the sequels and kept telling me how much I would love it and that she thought I would like it and have I managed to find it yet? So, when I found May Day (the first of now 4 Murder by Month books by Lourey), I started reading it. And once again, mom does not disappoint. I quite loved May Day and can't wait to read more!
May Day begins with a murder, or rather, the finding of a body in the library. The finder is Mira, who happens to recognize the body as the guy she had been dating/sleeping with/planning on falling in love with forever/hanging out with for the past week. Instead of being sad, she gets mad that the potential future she was picturing is gone and decides to try to figure out what happened. Her methods of detective work leave much to be desired as everyone seems to know what she is doing. And not many people are willing to help her out seeing as she is an outsider in their small Minnesota town.
There were a couple things I really enjoyed about May Day.
1) Mira's voice...oh man! She is hilarious. You know how in some books the narrator uses a voice that sounds very stilted and boring? Not Mira! She talks like how I talk and thinks of things in a different way than most people. She has a way of thinking of something she shouldn't do and deciding "ah, screw it" and does it anyway. And pretty much in that tone. Excellent!
2) Side characters! Besides Mira, everyone was a side character, but they all felt like full characters. Each person had motivation as to why they were acting the way they were and it all made sense.
3) I kind of didn't see the ending coming. Well, I sort of guessed who the killer way part way through because I read a lot of murder mysteries and always look at the unexpected character, but I didn't actually think it was going to happen that way. But then it did! And the reasoning was twisted and awesome.
4) Mira is kinda kick-ass. She is the assistant librarian in town, her favorite hobby is gardening, she loves watching trashy tv, when the time comes to attack, she really delivers. All around badass!
If you like mysteries, I highly recommend!
And now, in other news...I also finished The Science of Doctor Who. Or rather, I turned it back into the library even though I had only read half of it. And it wasn't because I didn't enjoy it. I am a math person, but I am not a science person. Some of that shit was over my head! I get the physics stuff somewhat, but any talk of chemistry, atoms, biology, aliens...yeah...nothing! It wasn't a book I could read before bed or just for fun in the evenings. I will probably read more of it at some point as it was super interesting to see how some of the crazy-ass stuff they do in Doctor Who could potentially be semi-possible-ish. Like the Tardis being bigger on the inside? Cha, on a super duper small scale (like...atoms small) they have done that. Made something bigger on the side. What? I don't get why (I read that section twice...still don't understand), but how cool is that. And the traveling through worm holes...totally plausible! And I kind of understood that. My favorite was the analysis of the Cybermen as I learned a bit about cyborgs in college. So, if you are a Doctor Who fan and/or like nerdy science things, read it!
So, how did I pick this book? My mom suggested it to me. Or rather, she read it and the sequels and kept telling me how much I would love it and that she thought I would like it and have I managed to find it yet? So, when I found May Day (the first of now 4 Murder by Month books by Lourey), I started reading it. And once again, mom does not disappoint. I quite loved May Day and can't wait to read more!
May Day begins with a murder, or rather, the finding of a body in the library. The finder is Mira, who happens to recognize the body as the guy she had been dating/sleeping with/planning on falling in love with forever/hanging out with for the past week. Instead of being sad, she gets mad that the potential future she was picturing is gone and decides to try to figure out what happened. Her methods of detective work leave much to be desired as everyone seems to know what she is doing. And not many people are willing to help her out seeing as she is an outsider in their small Minnesota town.
There were a couple things I really enjoyed about May Day.
1) Mira's voice...oh man! She is hilarious. You know how in some books the narrator uses a voice that sounds very stilted and boring? Not Mira! She talks like how I talk and thinks of things in a different way than most people. She has a way of thinking of something she shouldn't do and deciding "ah, screw it" and does it anyway. And pretty much in that tone. Excellent!
2) Side characters! Besides Mira, everyone was a side character, but they all felt like full characters. Each person had motivation as to why they were acting the way they were and it all made sense.
3) I kind of didn't see the ending coming. Well, I sort of guessed who the killer way part way through because I read a lot of murder mysteries and always look at the unexpected character, but I didn't actually think it was going to happen that way. But then it did! And the reasoning was twisted and awesome.
4) Mira is kinda kick-ass. She is the assistant librarian in town, her favorite hobby is gardening, she loves watching trashy tv, when the time comes to attack, she really delivers. All around badass!
If you like mysteries, I highly recommend!
And now, in other news...I also finished The Science of Doctor Who. Or rather, I turned it back into the library even though I had only read half of it. And it wasn't because I didn't enjoy it. I am a math person, but I am not a science person. Some of that shit was over my head! I get the physics stuff somewhat, but any talk of chemistry, atoms, biology, aliens...yeah...nothing! It wasn't a book I could read before bed or just for fun in the evenings. I will probably read more of it at some point as it was super interesting to see how some of the crazy-ass stuff they do in Doctor Who could potentially be semi-possible-ish. Like the Tardis being bigger on the inside? Cha, on a super duper small scale (like...atoms small) they have done that. Made something bigger on the side. What? I don't get why (I read that section twice...still don't understand), but how cool is that. And the traveling through worm holes...totally plausible! And I kind of understood that. My favorite was the analysis of the Cybermen as I learned a bit about cyborgs in college. So, if you are a Doctor Who fan and/or like nerdy science things, read it!
Friday, January 21, 2011
PRINT IS DEAD! Or ... not.
Print is dead, and I am part of the problem.
Why, with a blog about books and a job in the newspaper biz, would I be helping the death of print along?
I bought an e-reader. *hangs head in shame*
It was a long process to decide whether I wanted one, and which one I wanted, but in the end, it seemed like a pretty great thing to have. Just buy a book, upload it to a small, hand-held device and read it. I especially love the idea of taking it on vacations, since my ever-shrinking bags (thanks, airline fees!) are usually full of books.
I know, I know ... I'm a terrible person for not wanting to read books with ink on paper. Instead, I'm reading a book ("Under the Dome" by Stephen King, if you're curious) with e-ink on a screen. I'm sure there are people out there shaking their heads at me for not wanting that feel of a paper page between my fingers and the smell of a book and the weight of an 800-page hardcover book in my hands.
But, to me, that's not what a book is about. A book is the words, the story, the characters, the feeling I get when I'm reading it. The paper and ink, or the e-reader and e-ink, is just the vehicle upon which to convey the words, story, characters, etc. that give me that feeling is what a book is really about for me.
And, I have to say, it's pretty dang convenient too. Anytime I want to read a new book, I can get online, buy it, upload it and read it. I also have an app on my phone where I can read the books I've purchased, too. I can get on the computer and check out books from the library without having to go to the library, too. And there are lots of books in the public domain that I can read for free! It's pretty dang sweet!
Despite how much I am enjoying my e-reader thus far, I don't plan to sell all of my "dead-tree" books and go to a strictly electronic existence. I mean, maybe eventually I will, if that's the way that the world goes. But for a long time, I'll probably live a hybrid existence, reading some things on my e-reader and other things in books.
If you've been contemplating getting an e-reader, I'd urge you to try it. They're not that expensive, and there are a lot of wonderfully convenient things about them. But if you're inclined to stick with paper and ink, that's OK too - just don't take to the Internet, magazine, newspaper or carrier pigeon to denounce people who choose to use technology to read books, newspapers or magazines. After all, the important part is the book, not the way that you're experiencing it!
Why, with a blog about books and a job in the newspaper biz, would I be helping the death of print along?
I bought an e-reader. *hangs head in shame*
It was a long process to decide whether I wanted one, and which one I wanted, but in the end, it seemed like a pretty great thing to have. Just buy a book, upload it to a small, hand-held device and read it. I especially love the idea of taking it on vacations, since my ever-shrinking bags (thanks, airline fees!) are usually full of books.
I know, I know ... I'm a terrible person for not wanting to read books with ink on paper. Instead, I'm reading a book ("Under the Dome" by Stephen King, if you're curious) with e-ink on a screen. I'm sure there are people out there shaking their heads at me for not wanting that feel of a paper page between my fingers and the smell of a book and the weight of an 800-page hardcover book in my hands.
But, to me, that's not what a book is about. A book is the words, the story, the characters, the feeling I get when I'm reading it. The paper and ink, or the e-reader and e-ink, is just the vehicle upon which to convey the words, story, characters, etc. that give me that feeling is what a book is really about for me.
And, I have to say, it's pretty dang convenient too. Anytime I want to read a new book, I can get online, buy it, upload it and read it. I also have an app on my phone where I can read the books I've purchased, too. I can get on the computer and check out books from the library without having to go to the library, too. And there are lots of books in the public domain that I can read for free! It's pretty dang sweet!
Despite how much I am enjoying my e-reader thus far, I don't plan to sell all of my "dead-tree" books and go to a strictly electronic existence. I mean, maybe eventually I will, if that's the way that the world goes. But for a long time, I'll probably live a hybrid existence, reading some things on my e-reader and other things in books.
If you've been contemplating getting an e-reader, I'd urge you to try it. They're not that expensive, and there are a lot of wonderfully convenient things about them. But if you're inclined to stick with paper and ink, that's OK too - just don't take to the Internet, magazine, newspaper or carrier pigeon to denounce people who choose to use technology to read books, newspapers or magazines. After all, the important part is the book, not the way that you're experiencing it!
Judging a Book by the Cover
First of all, as I said that I was going to review the books I read, but don't feel like doing a full review...I read Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (Crusie? Shocker, right?). I really enjoyed it, though it definitely wasn't anything that I would rave about or probably read again. I liked the two main characters a lot and I liked the main little girl in the story and the plot itself was fun...but it just didn't really click with me. There just seemed to be a lot going on and the ending seemed very thrown together. It was Crusie & Mayer's first co-write, so I have high hopes for their other books. I liked it, but I probably won't recommend it as much as some of her other books.
And now for the topic at hand...Book Covers! I may have written about this before, but I don't really remember doing so...so I'm going to do it now. I judge books by their covers. That is right...a librarian...judging books...on their covers. There is even a nifty saying about not doing it. But seriously, you can tell a lot from a book cover. And I don't come by this by accident...I believe it is inherited as my mom does the same thing.
Romance novels are some of the best books to judge by their covers. If the cover has pictures of flowers, trees, a meadow, some sort of inspirational looking light...probably going to be a rather chaste, inspirational type romance novel with flowery descriptive language. If the cover has a half-naked man (preferably in a kilt), a woman with her dress trying to fall off and any sort of head thrown back in ecstasy...probably my sort of romance novel. As I said...romances are easy. The trashier and more explicit the cover, the trashier and more explicit the book for the most part. The only big exception I know of are Patricia Cabot (aka Meg Cabot) romances. They have lovely scenery on the covers, but super fun and trashy plots and are classic bodice-rippers (one of her books actually has a bodice being ripped...awesome!).
Chick lit books are a bit more difficult to suss out. I find that a lot of it has to do with the title, the font, and the colors on the cover. If the font is cursive and swirly, I'm probably not going to pick up that book (and neither is my mom). Any sort of pastel color is also not going to be my thing, unless paired with something awesome. If the font is hot pink and in bubble letters, you are starting to speak my language. If the picture on the cover is a hot dress, a dog, fun shoes, a hot car, or alcohol, I'm interested. Pair any of those with hot pink, lime green, bright blue and I am reading the back. Make the title something awesome (Big Boned, Undomesticated Goddess, Fast Women) and put it in a fun font,I don't even need to read the inside cover. If the cover looks fun and the title sounds cool, I'm going to try it. So far, this hasn't really backfired on me.
The last main category is mysteries. My mom is the one who can really do a great job of choosing awesome mystery books based on the cover. I'm not even sure what the real criteria is for a mystery cover that I'm going to like. I know that my mom picked The Spellman Files (a large pair of eyes with binoculars) and the Charlaine Harris books (have you seen the illustrations on the original paperback covers? They are freaking fantastic) based solely on the covers.
My suggestion to you, dear readers (all three of you), is to judge a book by its cover. If the cover looks boring or stupid or insipid or lame or trashy or just not your style, skip it. Sure, you might miss a book you would really like, but you might also waste time on a book that is boring, stupid, insipid, etc. And if a book cover looks interesting and you've never heard of it or the author, grab it anyway. I have found some super awesome books by random chance.
And lastly...what I'm currently reading. The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons. I'm letting my geek flag fly. And reading nonfiction, which is rare for me. I am planning on starting a new book tonight, but I'm not sure what book yet. I'll update when I figure it out.
And now for the topic at hand...Book Covers! I may have written about this before, but I don't really remember doing so...so I'm going to do it now. I judge books by their covers. That is right...a librarian...judging books...on their covers. There is even a nifty saying about not doing it. But seriously, you can tell a lot from a book cover. And I don't come by this by accident...I believe it is inherited as my mom does the same thing.
Romance novels are some of the best books to judge by their covers. If the cover has pictures of flowers, trees, a meadow, some sort of inspirational looking light...probably going to be a rather chaste, inspirational type romance novel with flowery descriptive language. If the cover has a half-naked man (preferably in a kilt), a woman with her dress trying to fall off and any sort of head thrown back in ecstasy...probably my sort of romance novel. As I said...romances are easy. The trashier and more explicit the cover, the trashier and more explicit the book for the most part. The only big exception I know of are Patricia Cabot (aka Meg Cabot) romances. They have lovely scenery on the covers, but super fun and trashy plots and are classic bodice-rippers (one of her books actually has a bodice being ripped...awesome!).
Chick lit books are a bit more difficult to suss out. I find that a lot of it has to do with the title, the font, and the colors on the cover. If the font is cursive and swirly, I'm probably not going to pick up that book (and neither is my mom). Any sort of pastel color is also not going to be my thing, unless paired with something awesome. If the font is hot pink and in bubble letters, you are starting to speak my language. If the picture on the cover is a hot dress, a dog, fun shoes, a hot car, or alcohol, I'm interested. Pair any of those with hot pink, lime green, bright blue and I am reading the back. Make the title something awesome (Big Boned, Undomesticated Goddess, Fast Women) and put it in a fun font,I don't even need to read the inside cover. If the cover looks fun and the title sounds cool, I'm going to try it. So far, this hasn't really backfired on me.
The last main category is mysteries. My mom is the one who can really do a great job of choosing awesome mystery books based on the cover. I'm not even sure what the real criteria is for a mystery cover that I'm going to like. I know that my mom picked The Spellman Files (a large pair of eyes with binoculars) and the Charlaine Harris books (have you seen the illustrations on the original paperback covers? They are freaking fantastic) based solely on the covers.
My suggestion to you, dear readers (all three of you), is to judge a book by its cover. If the cover looks boring or stupid or insipid or lame or trashy or just not your style, skip it. Sure, you might miss a book you would really like, but you might also waste time on a book that is boring, stupid, insipid, etc. And if a book cover looks interesting and you've never heard of it or the author, grab it anyway. I have found some super awesome books by random chance.
And lastly...what I'm currently reading. The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons. I'm letting my geek flag fly. And reading nonfiction, which is rare for me. I am planning on starting a new book tonight, but I'm not sure what book yet. I'll update when I figure it out.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
More Jennifer Crusie Love: Review of Faking It
A blog post by Kelly about a fluffy chick lit? Shocker, I know! But that is the book kick I've been on and I am riding that wave until I get bored. Anyway, I read Faking It by Jennifer Crusie. And it was awesome! Let me set the stage...
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (which I also read, but I don't think I wrote about) is the story of Sophie Dempsey, but has some fun side characters, like her brother Davy and a crazy actress/gold digger Clea. Faking It is the story of Tilda Goodnight and her romance with Davy Dempsey, and has the fun side character of actress/gold digger Clea! Fun times! It took me a chapter or two to figure out that I already knew Davy and Clea. I didn't really recognize their names until they mentioned the one big movie Clea did...Coming Clean, a carwash set porn. Strangely enough, that stuck in my head. Clea is a gold digger and just wants to marry a rich old guy who will then die and leave her all his money. Her story kind of drives the plot, though the fun stuff is with Davy and Tilda.
Davy Dempsey is a con man, trying to be reformed. Tilda Goodnight was an art forger, now a muralist. Tilda's family owns an art gallery that is not doing very well, but her main problem is that she painted 6 pieces for her father to sell but under a false name/story, which is haunting her. She discovers that Clea has one of the paintings and she goes to steal it back, ending up in Clea's closet with Davy, who is trying to steal money from Clea, which she stole from him, that he stole from her to begin with (yeah...that part only really makes sense and makes Davy the good guy if you read Temptation). After meeting in the closet, Davy follows Tilda and ends up renting an apartment in the gallery.
The plot of Faking It was super fun. That is one thing that has been consistent through all of Jennifer Crusie's books...the plots are not your standard chick lit/romance...they are always part romance, part mystery, part farce. I kept laughing out loud at the situations and reactions and jumping into closets. So much fun! I also loved all the characters...they are all a little bit crazy and quirky and flawed, but completely relatable and seem very real. The dialogue always flowed so well and seemed like things people might actually say. Also, everything is peppered with movie quotes and song lyrics...just like how my family talks! I can so relate.
The last thing I want to mention about Jennifer Crusie books that I love so much is that she always has some sort of neurotic, adopted animal. Bet Me has a cat that follows the main character home; Fast Women has a dog that is stolen from someone; Faking It has a dog that is adopted. It is something that really doesn't add much to the plot, but adds so much to the story and the characters. I love it so much!
Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (which I also read, but I don't think I wrote about) is the story of Sophie Dempsey, but has some fun side characters, like her brother Davy and a crazy actress/gold digger Clea. Faking It is the story of Tilda Goodnight and her romance with Davy Dempsey, and has the fun side character of actress/gold digger Clea! Fun times! It took me a chapter or two to figure out that I already knew Davy and Clea. I didn't really recognize their names until they mentioned the one big movie Clea did...Coming Clean, a carwash set porn. Strangely enough, that stuck in my head. Clea is a gold digger and just wants to marry a rich old guy who will then die and leave her all his money. Her story kind of drives the plot, though the fun stuff is with Davy and Tilda.
Davy Dempsey is a con man, trying to be reformed. Tilda Goodnight was an art forger, now a muralist. Tilda's family owns an art gallery that is not doing very well, but her main problem is that she painted 6 pieces for her father to sell but under a false name/story, which is haunting her. She discovers that Clea has one of the paintings and she goes to steal it back, ending up in Clea's closet with Davy, who is trying to steal money from Clea, which she stole from him, that he stole from her to begin with (yeah...that part only really makes sense and makes Davy the good guy if you read Temptation). After meeting in the closet, Davy follows Tilda and ends up renting an apartment in the gallery.
The plot of Faking It was super fun. That is one thing that has been consistent through all of Jennifer Crusie's books...the plots are not your standard chick lit/romance...they are always part romance, part mystery, part farce. I kept laughing out loud at the situations and reactions and jumping into closets. So much fun! I also loved all the characters...they are all a little bit crazy and quirky and flawed, but completely relatable and seem very real. The dialogue always flowed so well and seemed like things people might actually say. Also, everything is peppered with movie quotes and song lyrics...just like how my family talks! I can so relate.
The last thing I want to mention about Jennifer Crusie books that I love so much is that she always has some sort of neurotic, adopted animal. Bet Me has a cat that follows the main character home; Fast Women has a dog that is stolen from someone; Faking It has a dog that is adopted. It is something that really doesn't add much to the plot, but adds so much to the story and the characters. I love it so much!
Book Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I know what you're all thinking: "Oh my gosh! Jen the Book Tart isn't dead after all!"
I know, I know ... it's been a while since I blogged. I've been busy, and I needed a blogging vacation. But my slightly delayed New Year's Resolution is to blog more - at least 3-4 times a week - so hopefully that will motivate me to blog more.
And what better way to celebrate my triumphant return to blogging than to review a book I recently read, which I completely devoured, and which is being made into a movie soon? Yes. I'm talking about "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen.
"Water For Elephants" is not my normal type of book - it's a romance, but not a bodice ripper. It's a historical drama, but the history is not the main focus. It wasn't the type of book I usually read, but I really had trouble putting it down. It was a very easy read with likable, if somewhat stock, characters and a really incredible setting.
"Water For Elephants" follows Jacob Jankowski, a 90-something-year-old man in a nursing home who spends his days privately reminiscing about his days working in the circus. When Jacob was 23, in the middle of the Great Depression his parents died suddenly and he was left with no money. Rather than finishing his exams and becoming a veterinarian at Cornell, he jumps on a train ... which happens to be a circus train for The Benzini Brothers Circus. Because of his education, he quickly becomes the vet for the circus. The book talks at length about the terrible conditions for the animals, the performers and the workers and what it was like to live aboard a circus train during the Depression. It's especially bad for Jacob, because he works under August Rosenbluth, a very cruel, brutal man. And, of course, Jacob falls in love - hard - for August's wife, the gorgeous Marlena, who performs with the horses and, eventually, an elephant named Rosie.
The plot is not the most creative - there were very few things that I didn't see coming. Anybody who has seen or read a basic romance will be able to see a lot of things coming. But the characters are fun enough - I especially enjoy the quiet, innocent Jacob's reaction to the raucous world of the circus. But the raucous world of the circus is what really makes "Water For Elephant" sing. Gruen expertly describes the unsanitary, abusive conditions for the animals and the wildness of the performers and workers. The circus isn't a fun, innocent, safe show that we might think it would be - it's dirty, crooked and, as you find out by the end, dangerous.
I'm glad I read "Water For Elephants," and I look forward to seeing the book come to life on the big screen. Jacob will be played by "Twilight" heartthrob Robert Pattinson, and I think he should be good as the gentle, innocent, brooding Jacob. The gorgeous Reese Witherspoon will play Marlena, and she should be wonderful as usual. But I'm most excited about the incredible, Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz (Nazi Hans Landa in "Inglourious Basterds") as August Rosenbluth. I can't imagine a better casting.
If you're looking for an easy, romantic, fun read, "Water for Elephants" is a good choice. It wasn't the best book I've ever read or anything, but Gruen's descriptions of the circus and a quick, breezy plot make it worth the few days it will take to read it.
I know, I know ... it's been a while since I blogged. I've been busy, and I needed a blogging vacation. But my slightly delayed New Year's Resolution is to blog more - at least 3-4 times a week - so hopefully that will motivate me to blog more.
And what better way to celebrate my triumphant return to blogging than to review a book I recently read, which I completely devoured, and which is being made into a movie soon? Yes. I'm talking about "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen.
"Water For Elephants" is not my normal type of book - it's a romance, but not a bodice ripper. It's a historical drama, but the history is not the main focus. It wasn't the type of book I usually read, but I really had trouble putting it down. It was a very easy read with likable, if somewhat stock, characters and a really incredible setting.
"Water For Elephants" follows Jacob Jankowski, a 90-something-year-old man in a nursing home who spends his days privately reminiscing about his days working in the circus. When Jacob was 23, in the middle of the Great Depression his parents died suddenly and he was left with no money. Rather than finishing his exams and becoming a veterinarian at Cornell, he jumps on a train ... which happens to be a circus train for The Benzini Brothers Circus. Because of his education, he quickly becomes the vet for the circus. The book talks at length about the terrible conditions for the animals, the performers and the workers and what it was like to live aboard a circus train during the Depression. It's especially bad for Jacob, because he works under August Rosenbluth, a very cruel, brutal man. And, of course, Jacob falls in love - hard - for August's wife, the gorgeous Marlena, who performs with the horses and, eventually, an elephant named Rosie.
The plot is not the most creative - there were very few things that I didn't see coming. Anybody who has seen or read a basic romance will be able to see a lot of things coming. But the characters are fun enough - I especially enjoy the quiet, innocent Jacob's reaction to the raucous world of the circus. But the raucous world of the circus is what really makes "Water For Elephant" sing. Gruen expertly describes the unsanitary, abusive conditions for the animals and the wildness of the performers and workers. The circus isn't a fun, innocent, safe show that we might think it would be - it's dirty, crooked and, as you find out by the end, dangerous.
I'm glad I read "Water For Elephants," and I look forward to seeing the book come to life on the big screen. Jacob will be played by "Twilight" heartthrob Robert Pattinson, and I think he should be good as the gentle, innocent, brooding Jacob. The gorgeous Reese Witherspoon will play Marlena, and she should be wonderful as usual. But I'm most excited about the incredible, Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz (Nazi Hans Landa in "Inglourious Basterds") as August Rosenbluth. I can't imagine a better casting.
If you're looking for an easy, romantic, fun read, "Water for Elephants" is a good choice. It wasn't the best book I've ever read or anything, but Gruen's descriptions of the circus and a quick, breezy plot make it worth the few days it will take to read it.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Book Review: Revenge of the Cootie Girls by Sparkle Hayter
I don't know why I sometimes get it into my head that I should read "good" books; it never turns out well. Actually, it occasionally does (see: Never Let Me Go), but mostly...not so much. Most recently, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I think part of my problem is that I know what is going to happen because I saw the movie. I'm thinking of maybe trying to find a different Lehane novel because I like his writing style and am getting into the crime/noir genre some. But Shutter Island isn't working for me and I am not going to force myself to read something I'm not enjoying. Also, not working for me, Rest Ye Merry. I'm half way through and really don't care who the killer is.
So, with the idea in mind that I didn't want to read anything "good", I went to the library today and got 7 books...2 Jennifer Crusie, 1 Sophie Kinsella, and 3 random mysteries. I read one of the mysteries in one sitting tonight...Revenge of the Cootie Girls by Sparkle Hayter. It is the third book in a series, which is kind of annoying, but it is the only book the library had, so I dealt with it. I picked it for three reasons. 1) The title is Revenge of the Cootie Girls. Uh, how would I not want to read a book that has the word "cootie" in the title. 2) The cover is awesome! It is an old school comic looking drawing with someone with Bride of Frankenstein hair and three women with green wigs and Groucho Marx glasses/noses on. You can't go wrong with that. 3) The author's name is Sparkle Hayter. Sparkle. Hayter. Best name ever! So yes...I judged a book by its cover. And you know what, it works.
The main character, Robin Hudson, follows clues all night sent by her long estranged friend Julie that appear to be a cute joke sort of game. Robin gets into all sorts of trouble with everything going on, including losing track of all of her friends and always having the nagging need to choose which of her boyfriends to spend the weekend with. The whole book takes places in one evening/night/early morning, but includes a ton of flashbacks to Robin's childhood and teenage years. I liked the story structure of finding out bits and pieces of information as Robin tells them to her friends. I also just really enjoyed the quirky humor of what was going on in the story. Weird things happen and Robin thinks about things in a different way. I also really enjoyed that the dialog and narration sounded like how people talk...Robin and her friends swear and don't always filter what they are saying...just like normal people! It was just a really enjoyable story that was easy to read. I'm a big fan and now have to find the other books!
One last reason that I really enjoyed Hayter's book...apparently the genre it is in is called "Tart Noir". What? Best genre name ever! Crime Noir, but with elements of what makes chick lit so fun. Tart Noir by Sparkle Hayter. Love it!
So, with the idea in mind that I didn't want to read anything "good", I went to the library today and got 7 books...2 Jennifer Crusie, 1 Sophie Kinsella, and 3 random mysteries. I read one of the mysteries in one sitting tonight...Revenge of the Cootie Girls by Sparkle Hayter. It is the third book in a series, which is kind of annoying, but it is the only book the library had, so I dealt with it. I picked it for three reasons. 1) The title is Revenge of the Cootie Girls. Uh, how would I not want to read a book that has the word "cootie" in the title. 2) The cover is awesome! It is an old school comic looking drawing with someone with Bride of Frankenstein hair and three women with green wigs and Groucho Marx glasses/noses on. You can't go wrong with that. 3) The author's name is Sparkle Hayter. Sparkle. Hayter. Best name ever! So yes...I judged a book by its cover. And you know what, it works.
The main character, Robin Hudson, follows clues all night sent by her long estranged friend Julie that appear to be a cute joke sort of game. Robin gets into all sorts of trouble with everything going on, including losing track of all of her friends and always having the nagging need to choose which of her boyfriends to spend the weekend with. The whole book takes places in one evening/night/early morning, but includes a ton of flashbacks to Robin's childhood and teenage years. I liked the story structure of finding out bits and pieces of information as Robin tells them to her friends. I also just really enjoyed the quirky humor of what was going on in the story. Weird things happen and Robin thinks about things in a different way. I also really enjoyed that the dialog and narration sounded like how people talk...Robin and her friends swear and don't always filter what they are saying...just like normal people! It was just a really enjoyable story that was easy to read. I'm a big fan and now have to find the other books!
One last reason that I really enjoyed Hayter's book...apparently the genre it is in is called "Tart Noir". What? Best genre name ever! Crime Noir, but with elements of what makes chick lit so fun. Tart Noir by Sparkle Hayter. Love it!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Book Review: Lady of Skye by Meg Cabot
On my trip to Florida I read Lady of Skye by Meg Cabot (written as Patricia Cabot). I started and got half way through on the plane ride alone. It was a perfect vacation/plane read...fast, fluffy, fun!
I'm not going to review the plot because it was a romance novel, which means that the plot is mostly just the boy meets girl, they are from different worlds/want to hate each other/really love each other, they finally admit their feelings and get it on. Basic plot, lots of lusty tension, good resolve. Fun!
What I really liked about Lady of Skye were the characters. First, the story took place on a Scottish Island (Skye...hence the title), which is where the main heroine, Brenna is from. The main dude is a doctor named Reilly from London, but he is also nobility...a Marquis. Brenna has been being the doctor on the island since the previous surgeon left. The best thing about Brenna is that she is smart and strong. She has been acting as the doctor and vet and is trying to figure out why certain people died of Cholera. Freaking smart! But she is also strong. She has to constantly fend off the advances of the Duke and argue against the minister who feels that a 20 something year old woman shouldn't be living by herself and then she has to deal with Reilly. Reilly is pretty awesome too. He starts off a bit pretentious...he thinks that he knows all since he is a doctor. But he finds that Brenna does not care what he has to say for the most part. It is a fun dynamic.
Also, I just love Meg Cabot's writing. I have read a lot of her books and they are all great. Lady of Skye was not my favorite of her romance novels, nor do I think it was one of her best romance novels, but it sure was fun! The Scottish setting was fun, though after reading Karen Marie Moning, any other Scottish setting just isn't as good. And the main guy wasn't Scottish! Big bummer! I did, however, enjoy the way that the dialog was written as it would sound. When I read, I try to imagine the correct accent in my head, so it was nice to have the dialect written in. Overall, it was just a fun book! I didn't have to think or analyze or anything. Just read and enjoy!
I'm not going to review the plot because it was a romance novel, which means that the plot is mostly just the boy meets girl, they are from different worlds/want to hate each other/really love each other, they finally admit their feelings and get it on. Basic plot, lots of lusty tension, good resolve. Fun!
What I really liked about Lady of Skye were the characters. First, the story took place on a Scottish Island (Skye...hence the title), which is where the main heroine, Brenna is from. The main dude is a doctor named Reilly from London, but he is also nobility...a Marquis. Brenna has been being the doctor on the island since the previous surgeon left. The best thing about Brenna is that she is smart and strong. She has been acting as the doctor and vet and is trying to figure out why certain people died of Cholera. Freaking smart! But she is also strong. She has to constantly fend off the advances of the Duke and argue against the minister who feels that a 20 something year old woman shouldn't be living by herself and then she has to deal with Reilly. Reilly is pretty awesome too. He starts off a bit pretentious...he thinks that he knows all since he is a doctor. But he finds that Brenna does not care what he has to say for the most part. It is a fun dynamic.
Also, I just love Meg Cabot's writing. I have read a lot of her books and they are all great. Lady of Skye was not my favorite of her romance novels, nor do I think it was one of her best romance novels, but it sure was fun! The Scottish setting was fun, though after reading Karen Marie Moning, any other Scottish setting just isn't as good. And the main guy wasn't Scottish! Big bummer! I did, however, enjoy the way that the dialog was written as it would sound. When I read, I try to imagine the correct accent in my head, so it was nice to have the dialect written in. Overall, it was just a fun book! I didn't have to think or analyze or anything. Just read and enjoy!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Review: Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
You know how in my New Year post I mentioned that I was reading Rest You Merry and Shutter Island (if not, read it http://thebooktarts.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-years.html), I am here today to review a completely different book that I read instead of the two books that I was reading. Yes, apparently I am A.D.D. when it comes to reading books. No, I don't really care that you think it is weird. Anyway, onward!
I just read Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie. I love Crusie's writing. She writes slightly more saucy (aka sexually explicit) chick Lit, but not really romance because there is always some other plot that seems more important than the romance. Like an American Sophie Kinsella. Like if you put the romance parts of Meg Cabot romance novels into her modern chick lit books. If you haven't read any of these authors and are thoroughly confused, we are apparently not in the same reading demographic and you are missing out on delightful fluff! Anyway...not really the point. Jennifer Crusie...love her writing, love her stories, love her characters, except the main characters in Tell Me Lies.
I really enjoyed Tell Me Lies. It had a really great mystery element to it and plenty of intrigue and all the things I like in a book: sex, violence, hot cars, embezzling, accidental druggings...all the standards! I enjoyed finding out where the story was going, even though I guessed most of the plot points before they happened. It was a fun, light read. But dude...I really didn't like the main characters. First, we had Maddie, the married mother who stayed with her cheating husband so as to not cause gossip that would hurt her mom's feelings. Second, we had C.L. who Maddie slept with once in high school before marrying her now husband and who is now back in town, 20 years later and not quite the bad boy he once was. Third, we have all the stock characters...C.L.'s aunt and uncle, who raised him, Maddie's cheating husband, Treva, Maddie's best friend since childhood, and Em. Em, I actually liked. She is Maddie's daughter. I wasn't so sure about reading a romancey novel that had a kid in it, but really I found that Em was the most relatable character.
My problem with Maddie was that she seemed kind of stupid. Like, her husband had cheated on her before and now was doing it again (maybe) and it took her quite a while to decide to divorce him, even though she didn't even really like him anymore. Seriously? What kind of wussy heroine is that! And then, when C.L. comes back into town, he and Maddie start lusting for each other. Before she's divorced. Not necessarily bad, especially for a romance novel that involves a cheating husband, but seriously, she has a kid. I cannot get behind that. She also seemed to take an excessively long time to grow a pair and not act like the goody-goody everyone thought she was, which was driving her crazy. Gah!
My favorite character, as I said, was Em, the daughter. Her narrations seems very real. She is 8 and wants to know what is going on and no one will tell her for real and she is pissed about it. And scared. Very relatable. I will say that even though Em didn't make me like Maddie more, it did make me like C.L. more. Because C.L. treated her like a normal person and not a stupid kid.
So, even though this is kind of ranty, I still really enjoyed Tell Me Lies. The sex scenes were super hot, as was all the lusty pining for each other. And there was lots of humor in the dialog and internal monologues, which is always good. And since it was a chick lit, you know that there is going to be some sort of happily ever after. So that is nice. I recommend Jennifer Crusie fully, though would suggest reading one of her other books to really get hooked, like Bet Me, Fast Women, or Welcome to Temptation, all of which I read and freakin' loved!
And now I am going on vacation and have Shutter Island to read, which I may actually get around to reading, and Lady of Skye by Meg Cabot (under the name Patricia Cabot). And my mom is bringing some trashy crap to give me, also. So I may or may not actually read Shutter Island. I feel like it may be too "good" for me to actually read. I so just love trashy books.
I just read Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie. I love Crusie's writing. She writes slightly more saucy (aka sexually explicit) chick Lit, but not really romance because there is always some other plot that seems more important than the romance. Like an American Sophie Kinsella. Like if you put the romance parts of Meg Cabot romance novels into her modern chick lit books. If you haven't read any of these authors and are thoroughly confused, we are apparently not in the same reading demographic and you are missing out on delightful fluff! Anyway...not really the point. Jennifer Crusie...love her writing, love her stories, love her characters, except the main characters in Tell Me Lies.
I really enjoyed Tell Me Lies. It had a really great mystery element to it and plenty of intrigue and all the things I like in a book: sex, violence, hot cars, embezzling, accidental druggings...all the standards! I enjoyed finding out where the story was going, even though I guessed most of the plot points before they happened. It was a fun, light read. But dude...I really didn't like the main characters. First, we had Maddie, the married mother who stayed with her cheating husband so as to not cause gossip that would hurt her mom's feelings. Second, we had C.L. who Maddie slept with once in high school before marrying her now husband and who is now back in town, 20 years later and not quite the bad boy he once was. Third, we have all the stock characters...C.L.'s aunt and uncle, who raised him, Maddie's cheating husband, Treva, Maddie's best friend since childhood, and Em. Em, I actually liked. She is Maddie's daughter. I wasn't so sure about reading a romancey novel that had a kid in it, but really I found that Em was the most relatable character.
My problem with Maddie was that she seemed kind of stupid. Like, her husband had cheated on her before and now was doing it again (maybe) and it took her quite a while to decide to divorce him, even though she didn't even really like him anymore. Seriously? What kind of wussy heroine is that! And then, when C.L. comes back into town, he and Maddie start lusting for each other. Before she's divorced. Not necessarily bad, especially for a romance novel that involves a cheating husband, but seriously, she has a kid. I cannot get behind that. She also seemed to take an excessively long time to grow a pair and not act like the goody-goody everyone thought she was, which was driving her crazy. Gah!
My favorite character, as I said, was Em, the daughter. Her narrations seems very real. She is 8 and wants to know what is going on and no one will tell her for real and she is pissed about it. And scared. Very relatable. I will say that even though Em didn't make me like Maddie more, it did make me like C.L. more. Because C.L. treated her like a normal person and not a stupid kid.
So, even though this is kind of ranty, I still really enjoyed Tell Me Lies. The sex scenes were super hot, as was all the lusty pining for each other. And there was lots of humor in the dialog and internal monologues, which is always good. And since it was a chick lit, you know that there is going to be some sort of happily ever after. So that is nice. I recommend Jennifer Crusie fully, though would suggest reading one of her other books to really get hooked, like Bet Me, Fast Women, or Welcome to Temptation, all of which I read and freakin' loved!
And now I am going on vacation and have Shutter Island to read, which I may actually get around to reading, and Lady of Skye by Meg Cabot (under the name Patricia Cabot). And my mom is bringing some trashy crap to give me, also. So I may or may not actually read Shutter Island. I feel like it may be too "good" for me to actually read. I so just love trashy books.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Changing Classics: Editing Huckleberry Finn
A new edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is being released, with one major edit...the "n" word is being removed.EW.com has a nice write up about it (http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/01/03/huckleberry-finn-n-word-censor-edit/). In general, a Twain expert, Alan Gribben, is removing the "n" word and the word "injun" to update the book for the 21st century. Apparently the "n" word is offensive...to which I say "No shit, Sherlock!". Reading the 200+ appearances in Huck Finn should offend you, it is offensive. It is an offensive word. It is an offensive mindset. It was offensive back when Twain wrote it. It is still offensive now. It is offensive, but it is in the story for a reason.
I read Huck Finn in high school (I think it was Sophomore year, but it could have been junior year...I remember what teacher I had, but I had her two years in a row so it could be either year). My teacher warned us beforehand that the "n" word was in there a lot and that there was a reason for that. We read the book, we discussed it in class, we talked about why certain things were said and why. Did the word offend me? Absolutely! Which means that it served its purpose.
I'm not sure that the editing of Huck Finn is censorship. "Censorship" is such a complex concept and no one is trying to stop anyone from reading the original, they are just offering an alternative. Having said that, I still think it is wrong. I try not to use a slippery-slope approach to situations like this, but really, what is next? Are we going to write a new edition of The Diary of Anne Frank were the Jews are treated well because it is offensive for them to be killed? Are we going to edit Oliver Twist to be a heartwarming tale of a plucky young lad who has a happy life in the orphanage? I mean, seriously! Books like Huck Finn were written in and/or about a certain period of history and should be true to that time frame. It is unfortunate that people thought like that back in the day, but removing the language from a book does not change the viewpoints. It just makes us look like we are trying to ignore a big part of history. Everyone knows that saying that history repeats itself, but one way to stop that is to learn about that history. If we embrace the feeling that the "n" word is wrong and more importantly embrace the hatred of racism, we can use that to help eliminate racism now.
This blog has gotten pretty deep, so I am going to wrap it up. School is a place where we learn and it should also help shape who we are as people. It is a place where offensive material can be discussed and dealt with in a controlled setting. I am not comfortable saying the "n" word and I really don't know why anyone ever feels the need to say it regardless of their race, but reading it in Huck Finn makes a strong statement and the feelings I got from reading it in Huck Finn made a strong impression on me. Don't edit books to make them less offensive, discuss the offensive material and grow from it.
I read Huck Finn in high school (I think it was Sophomore year, but it could have been junior year...I remember what teacher I had, but I had her two years in a row so it could be either year). My teacher warned us beforehand that the "n" word was in there a lot and that there was a reason for that. We read the book, we discussed it in class, we talked about why certain things were said and why. Did the word offend me? Absolutely! Which means that it served its purpose.
I'm not sure that the editing of Huck Finn is censorship. "Censorship" is such a complex concept and no one is trying to stop anyone from reading the original, they are just offering an alternative. Having said that, I still think it is wrong. I try not to use a slippery-slope approach to situations like this, but really, what is next? Are we going to write a new edition of The Diary of Anne Frank were the Jews are treated well because it is offensive for them to be killed? Are we going to edit Oliver Twist to be a heartwarming tale of a plucky young lad who has a happy life in the orphanage? I mean, seriously! Books like Huck Finn were written in and/or about a certain period of history and should be true to that time frame. It is unfortunate that people thought like that back in the day, but removing the language from a book does not change the viewpoints. It just makes us look like we are trying to ignore a big part of history. Everyone knows that saying that history repeats itself, but one way to stop that is to learn about that history. If we embrace the feeling that the "n" word is wrong and more importantly embrace the hatred of racism, we can use that to help eliminate racism now.
This blog has gotten pretty deep, so I am going to wrap it up. School is a place where we learn and it should also help shape who we are as people. It is a place where offensive material can be discussed and dealt with in a controlled setting. I am not comfortable saying the "n" word and I really don't know why anyone ever feels the need to say it regardless of their race, but reading it in Huck Finn makes a strong statement and the feelings I got from reading it in Huck Finn made a strong impression on me. Don't edit books to make them less offensive, discuss the offensive material and grow from it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Years!
Not sure you noticed, but I have sucked at blogging regularly lately. I read a lot, but apparently have not been motivated to actually write about what I've read. So here is what my plan is for the new year...I am going to write about every book that I read. I'll recap what I finish, write about why I didn't finish any book that I don't finish, discuss who recommended the book to me or why I chose it.
So, to start out...I am currently reading two books; Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I decided to read Rest You Merry because my mom has most of the Charlotte MacLeod books and I was at home and organized her books. So I decided to borrow the first Peter Shandy book. I checked Shutter Island out from the library because I like the movie and I recently saw an interview of Dennis Lehane, so I decided to check out the book.
See, that is the way I tend to pick books...convenience, movie, author, cover (yes, I judge books by the cover). If you have a suggestion of a book that I should read, feel free to suggest it in the comments.
So, to start out...I am currently reading two books; Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I decided to read Rest You Merry because my mom has most of the Charlotte MacLeod books and I was at home and organized her books. So I decided to borrow the first Peter Shandy book. I checked Shutter Island out from the library because I like the movie and I recently saw an interview of Dennis Lehane, so I decided to check out the book.
See, that is the way I tend to pick books...convenience, movie, author, cover (yes, I judge books by the cover). If you have a suggestion of a book that I should read, feel free to suggest it in the comments.
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