tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29199765442759360152024-03-14T10:17:13.425-04:00Not the Daily PlanetBooks, movies, books, opinion, and books.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-69798063772970516122014-09-29T14:51:00.000-04:002014-09-29T14:53:27.939-04:00The Doctor Is InI'm probably giving away my age here, but I've been a fan of <i>Doctor Who</i> since Tom Baker donned an extra-long scarf and took off in the iconic blue box. My brother got me into the show, and being a fan of SF, I jumped in headfirst and never looked back.
<p>Back then, the effects were cheesy and the companions tended to be nubile young girls in skimpy costumes, but I loved it. Going anywhere in space and time was a great conceit, and the Doctor's combination of whacky and serious was a lot of fun. He would save the universe, then offer you a Jelly Baby.
<p>I lost touch with the show somewhere in the middle of Colin Baker's run, when I moved to an area that didn't have the love for the show I did. Once in a while, an old episode would show up on the local PBS station, but nothing I hadn't seen before.
<p>When the show got cancelled, I hardly mourned it. I had moved on to other pursuits, was addicted to other SF universes.
<p>I watched with great interest the one-off TV movie in the 90's, hoping it would lead to a rebirth of the franchise. It had a different flavor to it, and I found the actor playing the Doctor appealing, but it went nowhere. That was disappointing.
<p>So I was thrilled when they brought the show back in 2005 (ye gods, has it really been back that long?). A new Doctor, a new look, and an actual effects budget! A good mix of new and old adversaries, good actors, good writing. I was again addicted. The new Doctor was haunted, lonely, but still looking for a companion to travel through space and time with, saving the universe (or just a little pocket of it) every week.
<p>Each actor who's played the Doctor in the reboot has brought their own unique flair to the character, and I've liked them all immensely. It's funny how each time the Doctor has regenerated, the cry has gone out that he was the best Doctor ever, how can he possibly be replaced? Until the next time, when the same sentiment is exclaimed.
<p>I was excited when they announced that Peter Capaldi would be the next Doctor. I knew of him from his other work, and of course he had already appeared on both <i>Doctor Who</i> and <i>Torchwood</i>, its spinoff. I knew he was a fan of the show from his childhood. I was glad they decided to go with an older Doctor this time; while I really like Matt Smith, the last Doctor, I was ready for someone closer to my age to play the timeless hero.
<p>A few episodes into the new season, I'm still getting to know this Doctor. I like that he's a little grumpy sometimes, though perhaps a little too often. I really like that there's not even a hint at romance with his companion, Clara; I was getting a bit tired of every companion (except Donna, who I loved for that very reason) falling in love with the Doctor. The stories so far have been imaginative, sometimes scary and sometimes silly, and fun to watch. I'm so glad that the show is popular, and that we get to see them in the US the same day they air in the UK. We used to have to wait months before seeing new shows!
<p>As long as the Doctor keeps flying, I'll keep watching.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-16667763471984071982012-08-28T18:03:00.001-04:002012-08-28T18:04:23.048-04:00Book review: HOW TO BE A WOMAN by Caitlin Moran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XgPyKcnJWFuyo9e1nRXXlqTetWuvOQQa0ZQmOMjUWY_FkxQ4UacdboK-vLl88AyehvXz1IBDeN_oMHReHkm_tRcHl1FAUDAi62utAlT7Q3fqjssj6hbNbrOc-eixGRFamTb_3wACsxo/s1600/howtobeawoman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XgPyKcnJWFuyo9e1nRXXlqTetWuvOQQa0ZQmOMjUWY_FkxQ4UacdboK-vLl88AyehvXz1IBDeN_oMHReHkm_tRcHl1FAUDAi62utAlT7Q3fqjssj6hbNbrOc-eixGRFamTb_3wACsxo/s320/howtobeawoman.png" /></a></div>
<p>Book review: HOW TO BE A WOMAN by Caitlin Moran
<p>I have to be honest and say that I'd never heard of Caitlin Moran before reading this book. I am now a big fan, and I hope she keeps writing! If you were hoping for more juicy bits from Tina Fey, Moran is your gal. She describes, in hilarious detail, growing up from age thirteen on. In between the anecdotes about changes in her body and lifestyle, she gives advice on being a feminist, and why this is a good thing. There are diatribes about the fear of body hair, pornography (not what you think), fashion, weight obsession, and plenty more to keep you laughing as you nod in agreement.
<p>Every teenage girl should read this book, and take Moran's advice. The world would be a much saner place.
<p>There is a chapter titled "Why you should have children," immediately followed by one titled "Why you shouldn't have children." She laments the state of role models in the media, then tells a great story about going out with Lady Gaga.
<p>She even gets into the sticky subject of abortion, and tells her story with intelligence and thoughtfulness, as well as humor.
<p>If only more people were as level-headed as Moran (and as funny), there would be a lot less conflict (and a lot more fun) in the world. Highly recommended.
<p><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=notthedaipla-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0068LYEHA&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-40098685161635332732012-05-29T16:42:00.001-04:002012-05-29T16:42:43.571-04:00Book review: I SUCK AT GIRLS by Justin Halpern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4fROYk_zuXCN54YPXGcRd7KUTlcbAu8C6b8ZVs4444eQmD6MDzHX5n7dCHNLiv3g9XfmLH1lTq7SvAsHIujHxGSkqTSjxfaDpV0RW-3VjL-g8Y3E0eWCBrrb6G7P1m49DvtYdaORwII/s1600/isuckatgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4fROYk_zuXCN54YPXGcRd7KUTlcbAu8C6b8ZVs4444eQmD6MDzHX5n7dCHNLiv3g9XfmLH1lTq7SvAsHIujHxGSkqTSjxfaDpV0RW-3VjL-g8Y3E0eWCBrrb6G7P1m49DvtYdaORwII/s320/isuckatgirls.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I SUCK AT GIRLS by Justin Halpern
<p>You're probably aware of the Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/shitmydadsays" target="_blank">"Sh*t My Dad Says,"</a> along with the bestselling <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sh-t-My-Dad-Says/dp/0061992704" target="_blank">book</a> and the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1612578/" target="_blank">TV show</a> starring William Shatner. Yes, The Shat. If you're not, you're in for a treat. Basically, the author writes down stuff his dad says, which is always hilarious, and tweets it. This evolved into a bestselling book and then a TV show.
<p>In his new book, Halpern chronicles the evolution of his relationships with girls (and then women) until he meets and falls in love with the woman he wants to marry. Interspersed throughout is wisdom from his dad, including the advice to take a day off and think about everything he's learned about women and love, and from those musings comes this book.
<p>Halpern is a funny writer and a good storyteller; his reminiscences from his early childhood through his 'teens & twenties are full of poignant, awkward, and funny bits that make you smile with recognition. They don't teach this stuff in school, and it's refreshing to see that others blunder through just as blindly. You laugh because that's all you can do; it's funny because we've all been there. If you're looking for a quick, light read that will leave you smiling, this is the book for you.
<p><SCRIPT charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_mfw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822/US/notthedaipla-20/8001/3d33418c-d938-4278-b1bf-2b0b3f70c9d0"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT><A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_mfw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fnotthedaipla-20%2F8001%2F3d33418c-d938-4278-b1bf-2b0b3f70c9d0&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></NOSCRIPT>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-48927843808760490162012-05-10T17:06:00.000-04:002012-05-10T17:09:38.749-04:00Book review: JACKIE AFTER O by Tina Cassidy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWM8VUXcVXR1Krc29uWl2-NY1RYW7nW8iWkww-KLl0lPQFhOC-jnp2IATFCdbwCljLwH3EY16m3whWduFHYOMAzUNPqkzlDtoD8ZBc50jvoyC8U3GiJwP53omuNzuZZZSogeBXvLy5vg/s1600/Jackie+After+O+Jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWM8VUXcVXR1Krc29uWl2-NY1RYW7nW8iWkww-KLl0lPQFhOC-jnp2IATFCdbwCljLwH3EY16m3whWduFHYOMAzUNPqkzlDtoD8ZBc50jvoyC8U3GiJwP53omuNzuZZZSogeBXvLy5vg/s320/Jackie+After+O+Jacket.jpg" /></a></div>
JACKIE AFTER O: One Remarkable Year When Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Defied Expectations & Rediscovered Her Dreams
<p>by Tina Cassidy
<p>I have to admit that before I read this book, I didn't know a whole lot about Jackie. I knew who she was, of course, and could remember a few salacious "JACKIE O!" headlines in the tabloids from the time this book is set (1975), but to me she was just a famous person in big sunglasses whose life I couldn't really imagine. The few items I'd read from her White House years made me think she was a typical 50's housewife, content to raise the kids and go shopping while her husband saved the free world from Soviet bombs (and carried on affairs with multiple women). I didn't think she was all that bright. I never really gave a thought to what her life must have been like, except to be sad for her that her husband was killed in such a public and awful manner.
<p>What I didn't know was that she was very well educated, well-read, and interested in history to the extent that she helped save Lafayette Square in Washington D.C. while in the White House. She restored that house into a museum of American craftsmanship and art after decades of neglect. There was a lot more to her than just a fashion plate.
<p>Cassidy gives plenty of background, and meticulously cites sources for events and dialogue. She brings together a narrative that gives a clear picture of what was going on in Jackie's life the year her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, died, and how she put her life back together in New York, going into the publishing industry. You learn how and why Jackie chose such a seemingly odd occupation for herself, and how she flourished there. In the midst of the second wave of feminism, she broke out of the mold of women who acted dumber than they were to get a man, and chose a career not for the money, but for fulfillment.
<p>This book fills in the gap between the double widow and the professional editor and conservationist that made up the public image of one of the most famous women of the 20th century, touching on her relationships with her kids, her sister, and her step family and famous in-laws. If you are fascinated with Jackie, as so many people still are, this book is for you. I certainly have a new appreciation for and admiration of her.
<p><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=notthedaipla-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0061994332" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-49817339647964607762012-01-02T12:10:00.001-05:002012-01-02T12:12:55.145-05:00Book review: THE TINY BOOK OF TINY STORIES volume 1 by Joseph Gordon-Levitt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjGH3ghM_f0D8OJgcHNGfxEABV8NWNfoX-dB9D9xHX7PI4nwEB8SePjzi-NPD3EGiEjCtsfCRThjhDVScPNvoJo4QsRwzNXjTNeIahMyMPgLfPJ5oqjLjruqZgtxMDfLT7l4ybB2srJg/s1600/Tiny+Stories+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjGH3ghM_f0D8OJgcHNGfxEABV8NWNfoX-dB9D9xHX7PI4nwEB8SePjzi-NPD3EGiEjCtsfCRThjhDVScPNvoJo4QsRwzNXjTNeIahMyMPgLfPJ5oqjLjruqZgtxMDfLT7l4ybB2srJg/s320/Tiny+Stories+Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
If you enjoy storytelling and collaborative artforms, THE TINY BOOK OF TINY STORIES volume 1 is a treasure waiting to be discovered.
<p>Joseph Gordon-Levitt (yes, the actor) is the director of <a href="http://hitrecord.org/" target="_blank">hitRECord</a>, an "open-collaborative production company," which encourages anyone to contribute "records" (creative content) that others can use in collaborative projects, some of which get produced and sold. They split profits 50/50 with contributors, and use their cut to finance more projects.
<p>Their latest production is this book, which is a delightful collection of tiny stories (natch) paired with whimsical illustrations. The stories will make you smile, laugh, groan, and <i>think</i>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJcA727JQWxT9LZQq_MW2iqGKNQwcBH8tZDIv6kBAiCld1EJxI5hPUnKnGOZYAhP10qS_sLhHU5ydMOjg4YeM8iuW9uY90QBmJ4wuAbRSK12EcZ_dC1bvzIunXnw0u1I6XIGfvTvrE1I/s1600/Tiny+Stories_pg1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="233" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJcA727JQWxT9LZQq_MW2iqGKNQwcBH8tZDIv6kBAiCld1EJxI5hPUnKnGOZYAhP10qS_sLhHU5ydMOjg4YeM8iuW9uY90QBmJ4wuAbRSK12EcZ_dC1bvzIunXnw0u1I6XIGfvTvrE1I/s320/Tiny+Stories_pg1.png" /></a></div>
<p>The book really is tiny, too; smaller than your average paperback, yet with a hardcover: perfect for slipping in your bag and taking out to share a story and a smile. I got no further than the third story before I was sharing with co-workers passing by, and giggling throughout.
<p>The best part is the subtitle: volume 1. That means there will be more! Perhaps you will be inspired to contribute to the next volume.
<p><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=notthedaipla-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0062121669&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hitRECordJoe" target="_blank">Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Twitter</a>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hitRECord" target="_blank">hitRECord on Twitter</a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-5993160983285992682011-08-17T14:45:00.000-04:002011-08-17T14:45:23.758-04:00Book review: HAMLET'S BLACKBERRY by William Powers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFQJb2MRButJKkoGfzXE3OwYIbxecKqvHMFzVY9RaA2qy2iUmc23pib18J7jLt0UB-vPYZSEQzUjl0uCfR0KxCWoEbVPxbIogo_lfcR07Hq14oeVI6aTzUuDeD0Ie8rr1GarBwp9D2Y4/s1600/HamletBlackberry_pb_c_LOW_RES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFQJb2MRButJKkoGfzXE3OwYIbxecKqvHMFzVY9RaA2qy2iUmc23pib18J7jLt0UB-vPYZSEQzUjl0uCfR0KxCWoEbVPxbIogo_lfcR07Hq14oeVI6aTzUuDeD0Ie8rr1GarBwp9D2Y4/s320/HamletBlackberry_pb_c_LOW_RES.jpg" /></a></div><br />
HAMLET'S BLACKBERRY: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age<br />
by William Powers<br />
<br />
I've been feeling overwhelmed lately by the demands of the various online communities and social networking sites to which I belong. Well, not just lately; a few months ago, I actually did a major purge of Facebook, 'unfriending' everyone to whom I didn't feel I had a real connection. It was over 200 people, which boggles the mind. <i>Two hundred</i> people I had 'friended' just to, what? I wasn't sure. Which is why I cut them loose. I haven't missed a single one.<br />
<br />
But still, my digital, online life has been taking up far too much of my time, so when I saw this book offered for review by Harper Perennial, I jumped at it. And I'm really glad I did. I was recommending this book before I'd even finished it.<br />
<br />
The first part of the book is about how connected we are, and how this is causing stress and other problems in our lives. Powers uses personal anecdotes as well as general stories to illustrate his points, using himself and his family as examples to bring home the impact of all the screens in our lives, as he puts it. Being connected is a good thing, he says, but it's taking over our existence.<br />
<br />
In part II, he explores seven thinkers and philosophers from history, from Plato to McLuhan, and how they dealt with changing technologies in their times. Being overwhelmed by the crowd, as new technologies bring them into our homes and lives, is nothing new. What's interesting is how they managed to integrate these technologies into their daily lives without letting them take over, and how that pertains to us now. Then, as now, there was often a backlash against new tech. An example Powers uses is the recent resurgence of the popularity of Moleskine notebooks (of which I am also a fan: I love carrying around a little notebook to write snippets in as I think of them). Something that would have been high tech a few hundred years ago is now retro cool, and that's a good thing.<br />
<br />
The last part of the book is about putting into practice ways to break away from the addiction to screens, both computers and smartphones. As an experiment, he and his family declare weekends to be <i>Digital Sabbaths</i> (something the <a href="http://rowdykittens.com/" target="_blank">Rowdy Kittens</a> website calls <i>Digital Sabbaticals</i>), when the modem is unplugged and mobile phones turned off. It takes them a while to get used to it, but eventually it's something they all look forward to, and it makes them closer as a family. <br />
<br />
This is something I'd like to put into practice myself: make at least one day per week a connection-free day, and not go online at all. I spend far too much time checking Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, and now Google+ multiple times per day. And I don't even have a smartphone! It would be ten times worse, I'm sure, if I did. And yet, I still want one. I find it annoying when people I'm with keep checking their phones, yet would I be like that if I had one? Probably.<br />
<br />
I do make a conscious effort to step away from the computer when I'm at home, going out for walks or into the living room to read or write (on paper, with a pen, even!). But as soon as I get home, or finish a chapter, I'm back at the screen, checking email or what have you. It truly is an addiction. I feel like this book has given me the tools to break that addiction, or at least manage it.<br />
<br />
What I liked best about this book is its emphasis on creating and maintaining human interactions, with depth and connection you can't get in the small, quick world of the screens. You can make deep and lasting connections with people online, but don't forget the flesh-and-blood humans in your life as well. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-17834349505230767482011-04-06T13:13:00.003-04:002011-04-06T20:31:24.475-04:00DEVOTION a memoir by Dani Shapiro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hlIEj6HE7lfCjynX1peT91c7-QBMf7xT1HAeK3dIu3Ok_SpzA3MNJR2oUDWhmvTg7YmeX4Ia1IKgVGjOEAjCfYp9wQ447UfoUVnn8ndRtCcaMUihMcspJJ1lYYhb2JwYDo0T4hEsPvE/s1600/devotion-199x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hlIEj6HE7lfCjynX1peT91c7-QBMf7xT1HAeK3dIu3Ok_SpzA3MNJR2oUDWhmvTg7YmeX4Ia1IKgVGjOEAjCfYp9wQ447UfoUVnn8ndRtCcaMUihMcspJJ1lYYhb2JwYDo0T4hEsPvE/s320/devotion-199x300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592519927229402114" /></a><br /><br />I don't remember what initially attracted me to this book, but when it was offered by Harper Perennial for review, it somehow intrigued me and I requested it. I had not read any of Shapiro's other books, and memoirs are not my usual fare, but the spiritual quest has always been something that I've identified with, and I guess I was curious to read about another person's personal quest.<br /><br />The funny thing is, I got two or three chapters in before I remembered that this was not fiction. The short chapters, which jumped around in time and place, initially put me off until I remembered that that's how my mind works, too: jumping from place to place, as thoughts lead to other thoughts, memories lead to other memories. It's how the story of life is told; not in a linear fashion, but in snippets of pertinent information that, in the end, form a whole story.<br /><br />Even though I don't have much in common with the author (she's married, with a child, privileged, and Jewish), her journey is a universal one, and her questions are ones we all ask at some point in our lives. Her quest begins with a query from her son: <span style="font-style:italic;">What do we believe?</span> She seeks answers through her yoga practice, through exploring her Judaism, from a Buddhist teacher, and from her extended family. <br /><br />I found Shapiro's exploration of her relationship with her parents interesting, as well as her disconnect from her relatives and their unquestioning faith. I identified with her connection to the rituals of her youth, and how they strengthened her connection to her family despite her lack of belief.<br /><br />I also identified with her initial dismissal of people who use the smorgasbord approach to spirituality as dabblers with commitment issues, but ultimately embraced the idea as valid because, for many people, it works. What brings you inner peace is what works for <span style="font-style:italic;">you</span>.<br /><br />If you are a spiritual seeker (of any stripe), I recommend this book for its honesty and insight into the psyche of a seeker.<br /><br />This new trade paperback edition includes an interview with the author from ELLE magazine, and an essay about its creation by Shapiro.<br /><br />$14.99 from <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/index.aspx?imprintid=517986">Harper Perennial</a>.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-63755020176853177622010-08-21T08:30:00.003-04:002010-08-21T09:04:07.561-04:00Book review: SIZZLING SIXTEEN by Janet Evanovich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi-olm4Y8vZuOkJD6_PTN3tMTDJuFKFDfMcbBgGkT20skRCZ3UNy0_o79GwiiHakWSuthOgQFq0Avcgsu1Rxn1uM7tw8fCjNXW1ByI0HHhx0Pk-oaT2p_xuWm4_f-XMhn8E08Vb8JmHY/s1600/sizzling-sixteen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi-olm4Y8vZuOkJD6_PTN3tMTDJuFKFDfMcbBgGkT20skRCZ3UNy0_o79GwiiHakWSuthOgQFq0Avcgsu1Rxn1uM7tw8fCjNXW1ByI0HHhx0Pk-oaT2p_xuWm4_f-XMhn8E08Vb8JmHY/s320/sizzling-sixteen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507839623302370498" /></a><br /><br />I started reading the Stephanie Plum series at the recommendation of my mother a few years ago, and found them to be fun, quick reads. Stephanie is likable as a main character because we can relate to her: she lost her job; she has car trouble; she is attracted to men who may not be good for her, but are irresistible; her family drives her crazy, but they love each other. In other words, she's not perfect.<br /><br />Stephanie ends up working as a bounty hunter for her sleazy cousin, and gets herself into all sorts of scrapes trying to do her job. Most of them are funny, but some of them are real bad guys and she gets herself into dangerous situations from which she must be rescued by either her on again-off again cop boyfriend, her mysterious but sexy coworker, or both.<br /><br />She is surrounded by a cast of quirky characters, like her grandmother who goes to viewings at funeral homes for entertainment (and cookies), her coworker Lula, who is a former 'ho and is food-obsessed, and various other eccentric characters who come and go.<br /><br />The problem I have with these books, and it gets worse as they go on, is that no growth or progress is ever made by either Stephanie or anyone else. The things that were funny in the first few books get annoying by the sixteenth, like the fact that Stephanie is still torn between Morelli (the cop) and Ranger (the coworker). All Lula cares about are food and shopping. Stephanie still has to get rescued because she does something impulsive and dangerous.<br /><br />The jokes are getting stale, as are the characters. At this point, it's just more of the same, and it's not so entertaining anymore.<br /><br />I would love to see Stephanie make a real decision instead of going with the flow. Ranger and Morelli have a fistfight. Anything to break up the monotony.<br /><br />Alas, Evanovich has a cottage industry with these books, and I don't see her changing anything significant with her cash cow. That's unfortunate, because life doesn't really work that way. Stagnation is not a good thing, but apparently it's what the fans want: more of the same.<br /><br />There are so many more interesting books out there, so I think I am done with Stephanie Plum.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-50997084383225625172010-07-01T20:39:00.003-04:002010-07-01T21:26:18.723-04:00Review: STEALING FIRE by Jo Graham<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U92yuM_DRXHTJgy21RqiHBjA1LoHYTi3J-TqFIiyF0YXQk56O5Emb_nCxbmxl9m_YDB5Y_4YmiRVcyQp3uNiOjA_RG0uo1OWqSnHtRA6jg4DgBkCbupTW-3NjDzqvngjv6QJlr8BLXI/s1600/stealingfire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U92yuM_DRXHTJgy21RqiHBjA1LoHYTi3J-TqFIiyF0YXQk56O5Emb_nCxbmxl9m_YDB5Y_4YmiRVcyQp3uNiOjA_RG0uo1OWqSnHtRA6jg4DgBkCbupTW-3NjDzqvngjv6QJlr8BLXI/s320/stealingfire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489102238340639682" /></a><br /><br /><br />Like her previous books, BLACK SHIPS and HAND OF ISIS, STEALING FIRE takes place in the ancient world, primarily Egypt, and features historical figures. Also like those previous books, the story is told from a lesser-known, fictional character who is privy to the historical events featured.<br /><br />The story this time is of the aftermath of Alexander the Great's reign, told by Lydias, a slave turned stableboy turned soldier and Companion of Alexander. Lydias accompanies Ptolemy to Egypt after the death of Alexander, and helps him establish his reign in the new city of Alexandria while fending off his rivals for Alexander's kingship.<br /><br />Most stories about this time in history focus on Alexander's life and exploits, so it was interesting to read about what happened after his death. What also makes it different is Graham's understanding of the ancients' relationships with their gods, and their everyday interactions with them.<br /><br />There are also a lot more battle scenes in this story, and they are well-written and easy to follow. I have found battle scenes to be confusing and scattered in other works, but these showed an understanding of tactics and the emotions of people in the thick of them.<br /><br />Of course, the real heart of any story is its characters, and I found Lydias to be intelligent, compelling, and human. His relationships with Ptolemy and Bagoas, Alexander's favorite eunuch, are especially poignant. Graham brings insight into the complex relationships of men in the ancient Greek world, and the women are more than set decoration; they are intelligent, fully-formed people who have lives of their own outside of their men.<br /><br />If you like historical fantasy, STEALING FIRE will be right up your alley. And check out Jo Graham's other books as well; you won't be disappointed.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-91689645843554630802010-04-21T11:10:00.003-04:002010-04-21T11:45:18.279-04:00HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY by Audrey Niffenegger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ3X0yWWtl8YF3FsE0VM5D59iSNfglyWQZbBcxNhlCy287ywMB0KQ7hLoO_Zbvah_O13zNYtCwAeOptybrJ4iPip_bo5r3j0SQvfI9HUcYPsyW_YS3qmC0Ox8uRkU46y3T5DH9NqFz7M/s1600/symmetry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ3X0yWWtl8YF3FsE0VM5D59iSNfglyWQZbBcxNhlCy287ywMB0KQ7hLoO_Zbvah_O13zNYtCwAeOptybrJ4iPip_bo5r3j0SQvfI9HUcYPsyW_YS3qmC0Ox8uRkU46y3T5DH9NqFz7M/s320/symmetry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462608584830309058" /></a><br /><br />This book had been on my to-be-read list for a while, and when a friend posted recently about reading it, I was reminded why it had sounded so intriguing: London, ghosts, a cemetery, twins. Sounds perfect!<br /><br />Like London, the story meanders around several interesting characters, but is all about places and the people who inhabit them. Julia and Valentina are twins on the cusp of adulthood, who inherit a London flat from their estranged aunt Elspeth, who is their mother's twin. Upstairs lives Martin, crippled by OCD, and downstairs lives Robert, Elspeth's lover. Next door is Highgate Cemetery, where Elspeth is buried and about which Robert is writing his thesis. It is as much a character as any of the people, along with its eccentric group of caretakers and its wildlife.<br /><br />The relationships between twins is also explored, as the girls are inseparable but their mother and aunt had a mysterious falling out many years before. As they try to figure out what to do with their lives, Robert struggles with memories of Elspeth as he finds himself attracted to one of the girls.<br /><br />Ah, and the ghost. You thought I forgot about the ghost, didn't you? Yes, Elspeth makes an appearance, so to speak, and her explorations of spirit life, and interactions with the ones she left behind, become the central focus of the story. She is not what she seems to be at all, and where the story goes is both a surprise and is oddly satisfying. After moving slowly through most of the book, it suddenly speeds up and leaves you breathless, amazed at how quickly life (and death) can change. I did not see where it would end up, and it was harrowing getting there, but I liked it.<br /><br />And now I want to go explore Highgate Cemetery!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-52833977775999281762010-02-08T13:36:00.002-05:002010-02-08T14:49:56.492-05:00THE SWAN THIEVES by Elizabeth Kostova<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQqUJRV9mEUdOpCddQS1-f3LCdouQpigIHWM86bJKIo55nBVAGyclFa-Lf8lNSHjeUNlGPsnNy3tzZ_JwTImKmG9326k3F3ox-ijDET9tYEzeIkhqdyAZ1Q7S2NRJ_k74j9jfgXbM5uc/s1600-h/swan_theives.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQqUJRV9mEUdOpCddQS1-f3LCdouQpigIHWM86bJKIo55nBVAGyclFa-Lf8lNSHjeUNlGPsnNy3tzZ_JwTImKmG9326k3F3ox-ijDET9tYEzeIkhqdyAZ1Q7S2NRJ_k74j9jfgXbM5uc/s320/swan_theives.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435943455541871826" /></a><br /><br />I was very much looking forward to reading THE SWAN THIEVES, as I had really enjoyed Kostova's previous book, THE HISTORIAN. This work is very different in subject and style, but similar in historical scope. This time her subject is the art world, and Kostova brings it alive with rich history and prose. <br /><br />The story begins when a prominent artist attacks a famous canvas in the National Gallery of Art, saying only, "I did it for her." He then remains mute, much to the frustration of his psychiatrist, who then goes on to try and solve the mystery of the attack.<br /><br />As in THE HISTORIAN, there is an old mystery intertwined with the new, and Kostova expertly threads the two mysteries together into a compelling story. Her characters are well-rounded, real people whose voices are distinctive. The narrator (the aforementioned psychiatrist) takes us on a journey with him to discover the artist's past, his relationships, and who the mysterious woman he keeps drawing could be.<br /><br />Kostova really captures what the life of an artist is like, as well as showing an understanding of the tools and techniques. You feel as if you know these people and their world, what it is like to be a painter. Her descriptions are cinematic; you can almost see the paintings she describes, and feel what it's like to paint them. Her fictional historical characters are so real, you want to look them up and see their paintings. You want this story to be real.<br /><br />I highly recommend THE SWAN THIEVES, and eagerly look forward to Elizabeth Kostova's next offering.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-37778590333249049092009-12-01T18:50:00.002-05:002009-12-01T19:18:47.792-05:00THE PRISONER (1967)Inspired by the AMC remake of the classic show, I recently rewatched the original <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061287/" target="_blank"><i>The Prisoner</i></a>, the trippy 1967 British series starring Patrick McGoohan. It was even weirder than I remembered.<br /><br />I first watched it in the mid-80's, when my local PBS station played the entire series. I remember being somewhat baffled by it, and not understanding the ending at all, but on the rewatch I was blown away by how psychedelic it was. Much of it made little, if any, sense to me. <br /><br />Oh, I get what it was about, the overarching themes. But the actual stories were just bizarre. <br /><br />There were a lot of science fiction devices used in various episodes, and an uncannily prescient use of virtual reality in the western-themed episode that reminded me quite a bit of a similar episode of <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>. Actually, come to think of it, there was a western-themed episode of the original <i>Star Trek</i> as well, which would have been contemporary with this show.<br /><br />Definitely a product of its time, as well as ahead of its time in many ways, I can see why the remake had so much trouble finding itself. The world is a different place now; not the paranoid cold war atmosphere of the late 60's, but a paranoid post-9/11 corporate culture.<br /><br />One thing it did do for me, though: I'd really love to visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmeirion" target="_blank">Portmeirion</a>, the Welsh seaside town where most of it was filmed. What a picturesque, lovely place!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-16915384781665241162009-06-04T20:14:00.004-04:002009-06-04T20:46:32.924-04:00Book review: THE BELL AT SEALEY HEAD by Patricia A. McKillip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlgD-F9TcaLURrHCfz1tnYK9HQDpEpuTLhnO4EnQ3V2ocewfPA-omHDCxJQwot_oVuGrqfGlpCV5hRJecZsX772z6dVbSfjjg15VkvZpXnYcUKRQhHAs6Oq0iu9QyNGjCOiNy1ZE_wk8/s1600-h/sealeyhead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlgD-F9TcaLURrHCfz1tnYK9HQDpEpuTLhnO4EnQ3V2ocewfPA-omHDCxJQwot_oVuGrqfGlpCV5hRJecZsX772z6dVbSfjjg15VkvZpXnYcUKRQhHAs6Oq0iu9QyNGjCOiNy1ZE_wk8/s320/sealeyhead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343631560031784386" /></a><br /><br /><br />Every evening, just at sundown, a ghostly bell rings just once in the village of Sealey Head. Most of its inhabitants don't even notice it anymore, but a couple of them wonder about its mystery, and an enigmatic stranger is determined, with their help, to solve it. <br /><br />This is the premise of THE BELL AT SEALEY HEAD, but the story is much richer and more layered the deeper you delve into it. There is the bookish daughter of the local merchant, Gwyneth, who is determined to write the story of the bell's origins. Her childhood friend, the equally bookish son of the local innkeeper, Judd, is intrigued by a visitor from the city who arrives with a load of books and aspirations of solving the mystery once and for all. Then there is Aislinn House, the local manor, full of secrets, where the dying lady dreams her days away as her heir arrives from the city with an entourage, exciting the local society. Add a local wood witch, several amusing townspeople, and a Fairy Princess, and you've got a recipe for a wonderful fairy tale set against the backdrop of the ever-present sea.<br /><br />McKillip is a wonderful storyteller; I have yet to read anything by her that I didn't love. Every one is different from the others, yet all are full of rich, rounded characters and well-thought-out stories and settings. Like the last book of hers that I read, SOLSTICE WOOD, this one was just really fun to read. I liked the characters a lot, which is vital to enjoying any story. It left me wanting more, which is a high compliment in my book. Evocative without being bloated, a quick read without being fluffy, I found myself looking forward to stealing away some time to continue reading it, and was sorry when it had ended. Highly recommended.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-82934456030045551152009-05-29T15:43:00.002-04:002009-05-29T15:47:33.054-04:00Review: THE MYSTERY OF GRACE by Charles de Lint<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNX35aLbUFpZS6T4DHeQwRpBkDFbEhfsRyBvJGP-Cfs5olL_yIsYmYc-eJi7yw3Z3nqgJApsUztOmXntHGGwmXwzs-QKbNt0icpf43l81jQu-vCDWfVbuu3rbRCeV-leoVutQJe5eVF4/s1600-h/grace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNX35aLbUFpZS6T4DHeQwRpBkDFbEhfsRyBvJGP-Cfs5olL_yIsYmYc-eJi7yw3Z3nqgJApsUztOmXntHGGwmXwzs-QKbNt0icpf43l81jQu-vCDWfVbuu3rbRCeV-leoVutQJe5eVF4/s320/grace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341333892832678578" /></a><br /><br />I've long been a fan of Charles de Lint's work, going back about twenty years, when I first read GREENMANTLE. He practically invented the genre of Urban Fantasy, blending myth and magic with contemporary settings and characters, and he does it well. Many of his stories and books are set in the fictional city of Newford, and it's a pleasure to revisit familiar places and characters, learning new things about them along the way.<br /><br />In this, his latest offering, he takes us far away from Newford, to a fictional city in the Southwest. New characters and landscapes take us to a whole new place, and it's quite different from his recent stories.<br /><br />It's difficult to talk about the story without giving away too much, because some pretty major things happen fairly early on in the book that would spoil it if you knew they were coming. The titular character, Grace, finds herself in a mysterious place, and her path is to figure out why she is there, and how she can get out. She crosses paths with various others who have also ended up there, and together some of them try to figure out the mystery.<br /><br />There's some interesting world-building, and glimpses of the world of hotrod enthusiasts, Hispanic culture, and a different magical mythology from de Lint's usual offerings. There's a sense of melancholy that pervades his stories, and here it is even more pronounced. His love of the desert and of the Southwest shows in his writing, bringing to life a region that has long intrigued me as well. As much as I love Newford, it was nice to explore a different place with a favorite author.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-35965971826036908622009-05-18T14:24:00.001-04:002009-05-18T14:26:16.807-04:00Book review: HAND OF ISIS by Jo Graham<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XjInIGrAHea_ZSIvjGDJQT8sxrBE1JDas4dr1gctr1nkDPmWWvZ9bJhUCt8xTGpVfrq7t3k-4E9idXzkbPHQfhiUc6EAZ59RnQoxyGEj83qNAtOVp2sUTrmvGR6m5w99nXDEYQvfUUc/s1600-h/Hand_of_Isis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XjInIGrAHea_ZSIvjGDJQT8sxrBE1JDas4dr1gctr1nkDPmWWvZ9bJhUCt8xTGpVfrq7t3k-4E9idXzkbPHQfhiUc6EAZ59RnQoxyGEj83qNAtOVp2sUTrmvGR6m5w99nXDEYQvfUUc/s320/Hand_of_Isis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337231856104473122" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jo Graham is working her way through the ancient world, retelling tales that we've all heard before in new and intriguing ways. Her first book, BLACK SHIPS, was the story of Aeneas and his people finding a new home after the sacking of Troy. Her latest book, HAND OF ISIS, tells the story of Cleopatra and the Romans Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.<br /><br />It's a story that's been told many times, in literature and on film, but Graham manages to find the humanity in such a storied character, making her surprisingly sympathetic. Told in first-person point of view by her sister Charmian, we learn about Cleopatra's life from childhood to her death. What makes Graham's books so interesting are not necessarily the main, famous characters, but rather the supporting characters, and the detail about their lives. She brings ancient Alexandria to life for us, making it as much a character as the people who inhabit it. Seeing such famous characters, such as Julius Caesar, as human beings rather than the larger-than-life figures we are used to seeing, makes for fascinating reading as well.<br /><br />Graham takes a few liberties with history, but as this is a work of fiction and not a reference book, good story is what matters, and this is a good story. What makes this different from most historical fiction is Graham's grasp of ancient religion, and the role of the gods in individuals' lives. This is really what makes it shine for me, and what I liked best about her previous book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in ancient Egyptian, Greek, or Roman religion, as well as ancient history buffs.<br /><br />Her next book is about the aftermath of Alexander, and I look forward to reading it.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-45966756710185123552009-04-13T14:12:00.003-04:002009-04-13T14:52:06.951-04:00Review: THE COYOTE ROAD ~ Trickster Tales<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_s9iSmN3Vd1F9F7vaQUdipJmY5-ij_cN1H9TvpMKCCwryOj6TtZFaKVNn7y5lNtv2LdRY6P-60mH9X6gDvS6X2CVE3vnpxKGts50JNDyeEus5KlpCrCFNjKekRmosgtlH2NIfJ7IXq8/s1600-h/coyote_road.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_s9iSmN3Vd1F9F7vaQUdipJmY5-ij_cN1H9TvpMKCCwryOj6TtZFaKVNn7y5lNtv2LdRY6P-60mH9X6gDvS6X2CVE3vnpxKGts50JNDyeEus5KlpCrCFNjKekRmosgtlH2NIfJ7IXq8/s320/coyote_road.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324250056126378002" /></a><br /><br />Edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, with illustrations by Charles Vess. <br /><br />Having previously enjoyed Datlow & Windling's collections (<i>The Green Man</i> and <i>The Faery Reel</i>), I was looking forward to reading this latest anthology, now out in trade paperback. A smart collection of short fiction and poetry, featuring many of my favorite writers, it did not disappoint.<br /><br />All of us are familiar with stories about tricksters, whether we're aware of it or not. From Br'er Rabbit and Bugs Bunny to Anansi and Coyote, every culture has tales of tricksters. The stories in this collection are as varied as the cultures and time periods they cover, and the form the trickster takes is often surprising. While some stories feature familiar characters out of legend, many of them show us that anyone (or anything) can be a trickster, and as it goes with tricksters, you never know how it's going to turn out.<br /><br />The tales take you from ancient Greece to the near future, from China to the Louisiana bayou, and many interesting times and places in between. I enjoyed all of the stories, some more than others of course, but there wasn't a dud among them. Each story or poem has an magical illustration by Charles Vess that adds to its mystique.<br /><br />If you enjoy mythic fiction, fantasy, or even just a good yarn, I highly recommend <i>The Coyote Road</i>.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-50910289473324668742009-03-07T08:16:00.003-05:002009-05-30T08:04:12.919-04:00Book review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp6MKP6LpnIGzYqw5QP2LzhfU-JJaOW8lOWHdaPpLIicLFbzGf0ThXf70QHg92XumIOFfftRDw1gCyJkbU21VKTw-odDIeWlX-oJvDBRzt9IOO0USxKIveZbMOEUxaMHbA4S1PcZDDjU/s1600-h/graveyard-book.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp6MKP6LpnIGzYqw5QP2LzhfU-JJaOW8lOWHdaPpLIicLFbzGf0ThXf70QHg92XumIOFfftRDw1gCyJkbU21VKTw-odDIeWlX-oJvDBRzt9IOO0USxKIveZbMOEUxaMHbA4S1PcZDDjU/s320/graveyard-book.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341586589096471266" /></a><br /><br /><br />Technically a children's book, THE GRAVEYARD BOOK appeals to readers of all ages. Neil Gaiman is at his best here, telling a clever story that puts new twists on old tropes. It's the story of Bod (short for Nobody), who is raised by ghosts in an old graveyard after his family is murdered. The ghosts promise to protect Bod, who is given the freedom of the graveyard but must not leave it. He is provided for by the only one who can leave, a mysterious character named Silas (whose nature is hinted at but never named).<br /><br />The book follows Bod's growth, education, eventual contact with the outside world, and the mystery of his family's murder in a charming and inventive story. Though written for children, it is never patronizing or childish. The characters are well rounded, interesting, funny, and sometimes scary. It's lovely how Bod is not afraid of death, because all of his friends are dead, and the figure of Death is not the one we've encountered numerous times before, but something beautiful and comforting. He is reminded, however, that life is worth living, and he can only learn and grow while alive. It's a nice message to send to kids. The spooky illustrations by Dave McKean add to the story and atmosphere of the book.<br /><br />The deserved winner of the Newbery medal, this is a book to share with your kids, and enjoy for yourself.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-82868444315470854692009-01-10T21:29:00.004-05:002009-05-30T08:07:24.425-04:00Book review: Solstice Wood by Patricia A. McKillip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrC71f56ZUgY47eu8A3bHEK8r88026XDG5vIlyAvkDfe4u9XIbkXllSOPv6o6mqqMjF1CQeCQmPcythd7UePojTjvg-8NLe-gCEIGPYCkV6PQHUoxeKvlwNCpwNngBzk3VllJb01DG4Q/s1600-h/solsticewood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrC71f56ZUgY47eu8A3bHEK8r88026XDG5vIlyAvkDfe4u9XIbkXllSOPv6o6mqqMjF1CQeCQmPcythd7UePojTjvg-8NLe-gCEIGPYCkV6PQHUoxeKvlwNCpwNngBzk3VllJb01DG4Q/s320/solsticewood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341587396915390850" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've read some of McKillip's fantasy in the past and enjoyed it, and this book was recommended to me by a friend, so I dove in, knowing it was different from her other work. <br /><br />I had just read <u>Faerie Tale</u> by Raymond Feist, which has a similar theme of the world of faerie intersecting with the modern world, and had been disappointed by it. I found it to be formulaic and predictable, written like a treatment for a bad 70's TV movie.<br /><br /><u>Solstice Wood</u> couldn't be more different. Yes, it takes place in "upstate NY" and yes, it features faerie in the modern world, but that's where the similarity ends. The characters are realistic and well-rounded, not stereotypes and caricatures. The descriptions of faerie are ethereal and believable, and McKillip didn't feel the need to invent an evil nemesis to ramp up the conflict. The fae are mysterious and slightly menacing, yes, just as they are in the lore, but they are not evil.<br /><br />The story is told from multiple points of view, which is especially interesting when you see the same scene as experienced by different characters. It adds layers to the story that you might not get from a third-person POV.<br /><br />The story revolves around Sylvia Lynn, who returns to her hometown to attend the funeral of her grandfather. Her grandmother, who raised her, is trying to get Sylvia to move back home, which she ardently resists. Mysterious happenings surround Lynn Hall, the family home, and a series of eccentric characters surround the family, especially the strange Fiber Guild, who seem to be doing more than just needlework in their monthly meetings.<br /><br />I loved the little charming touches added to the story, like the Community Phone Bush (the only spot in town able to receive a cell phone signal), and the changeling who loves Gram's cookies.<br /><br />I liked this book a lot, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, magical realism, or mythic fiction. If you like Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, or Teri Windling, you'll enjoy <u>Solstice Wood</u><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Solstice-Wood-Patricia-McKillip/dp/044101366X" target="_blank">Find Solstice Wood at Amazon</a>.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-10729330720402774472009-01-05T20:50:00.001-05:002009-01-05T20:52:01.511-05:00DVD Review: CasanovaI don't know how anyone can make a movie about Casanova boring, but these filmmakers managed to do it. The plot, such as it is, plods along without much happening at all. I found it curious that Casanova's reputation is more alluded to than shown, and no mention at all was made of the fact that he was a practicing magician. An unfortunate stumble for Heath Ledger, who could have made this role great. I fell asleep not once, but twice while trying to watch it; I never made it to the end.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-21495637189816809642009-01-05T20:48:00.001-05:002009-01-05T20:50:18.898-05:00DVD Review: TransformersI am not the target market for this movie, being the wrong age and gender, but I enjoyed it all the same. It requires a big suspension of disbelief, with huge plot holes you could drive Optimus Prime through, but the "wow" factor more than makes up for it. The effects are truly incredible, even if the robots are a bit on the overdone side. The protagonist is likable, a sort of every-teen who isn't special or handsome, which makes you root for him all the more. He's a good kid, and his parents are great comic relief. The ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel which, due to the success of this movie, I would be willing to bet on. I hope they do as good a job on it.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-88159748899743098082009-01-05T20:46:00.000-05:002009-01-05T20:48:09.514-05:00DVD Review: Doctor Who Series 2I am a <i>Doctor Who</i> fan from way back, when Tom Baker was still the Doctor. I was thrilled when they brought the franchise back, and I loved Christopher Eccleston's Doctor, so I was not sure how much I would like David Tennant in that role. The only role I had seen him in was his very brief stint in <i>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</i>. I'm happy to say that I love David Tennant as the Doctor. I think he is the best yet. His relationship with Rose is wonderful, his sense of humor is great, and he's just a lot of fun to watch. There are a couple of stumbles, but no series is great every episode. The extras are interesting, especially David's video diary. I highly recommend it to fans of the show.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-24567296204179265612009-01-05T20:41:00.002-05:002009-01-05T20:45:50.822-05:00DVD Review: Beowulf Director's CutDespite being cowritten by one of my favorite writers (Neil Gaiman), I found this movie very disappointing. The visuals, instead of being stunning (as was obviously meant) were no better than those of a video game. The story was too much of a departure from the original, lacking both power and subtlety. The 3-D 'tricks,' not being seen in 3-D, were just annoying. The bits-hiding maneuvers were better in <i>The Simpsons Movie</i>. The overall tone and themes of the movie seem to be aimed at twelve-year-old boys. If this is what you are, you will love this movie. If you are not, skip it.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-43906832901393218522008-06-30T21:31:00.002-04:002008-06-30T22:00:33.108-04:00It's a shame<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziebelletoo/442465761/" title="beer tree by Lizzie~Belle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/442465761_225cc27536_m.jpg" width="192" height="240" alt="beer tree" /></a><br /><br />Everywhere I go, I see trash and litter strewn about. Even out in the woods, like these beer cans I saw along the Little River in Westfield. What makes people think it's OK to just toss their trash anywhere, as if it goes away once it's out of their sight?<br /><br />When I was a kid (back in the dark ages), there was a famous commercial with a Native American looking out over a sea of litter, and a single tear running down his cheek. There was also one with an animated owl who said, "Give a hoot, don't pollute!" Apparently environmentalism is something that my generation didn't pass along to its children.<br /><br />Surely there are a lot of people who feel the way I do. Who really wants to see trash along the sidewalks and roads? Are people really that self-involved that they don't even notice? No, don't answer that, I know what the answer is. <br /><br />What I think we should do is bring back public shame. Hey, it's worked for several police departments in combating prostitution; why not for littering? The smaller and more closely-knit the community, the better it would work.<br /><br />Try it: the next time you see someone drop trash, shake your head and say, "Shame on you!" Toot your horn at that car tossing cigarette butts out the window. If you see a child drop trash on the ground, condescendingly inform them that that is not acceptable in a civilized society. Didn't your mother teach you better than that?<br /><br />Even if it makes a little bit of difference, it's worth it. Pass it on.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-72387976035596316992008-06-10T19:11:00.003-04:002008-06-11T11:45:40.586-04:00civic apathyUnless you've been living in a cave, you've probably heard about the incident in Hartford, CT, where a CCTV camera caught a man being hit by a car, which then fled the scene, and the apparent apathy and inaction of bystanders. There's been a lot of talk on the news and the blogosphere about urban apathy, but city blogger Heather Brandon has written a very thoughtful post over at <a href="http://urbancompass.net/?p=1398" target="_blank">Urban Compass</a> about the incident and the aftermath.<br /><br />She raises the point that a lot of people just don't know what to do in an emergency, which is doubtless true. The drivers who went around him after the accident quite possibly didn't see what had happened, and were more concerned about traffic on the busy street. A couple of people did, in fact, dial 911 right after it happened. <br /><br />It is true that a majority, if not most, people just don't want to get involved. Witness the countless people who pass the homeless every day without acknowledging their existence, let alone offering a helping hand. Our society is more concerned with self-gratification than with philanthropy. Apathy is, indeed, rampant. <br /><br />It's something that I'm working on in myself, and I can only hope that more people share my aspirations. Go read Heather's post, and see if you can't exorcise some of your own apathy.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919976544275936015.post-30713603385932822852008-06-09T20:25:00.002-04:002008-06-09T20:33:29.067-04:00Here's a new one!When an Iowa man was recently busted for possession of marijuana, he told the officers that it wasn't for distribution; he said he was <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ap-ia-potexcuse1stld-wr,0,3826679.story" target="_blank">going to compost it</a>. Needless to say, the police didn't believe him, and he was charged with possession with intent to distribute.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898430108906794754noreply@blogger.com0