I've been slacking a bit in my reading so I'm combining the last few months into one post. You'll notice a bit of a commonality in some of these books: memoirs and humorous antidotes from strong, funny women. I didn't mean to read a handful of similar books; perhaps it's a theme that's drawing me at this moment in time but I'm finding these autobiographies fascinating. How did these women get to where they are today? How have their lives dictated this path? What makes them so interesting?
My life? Feels a little boring in comparison. But I want to believe a little bit that we all have interesting lives and stories to tell, enough to write our own memoirs if so desired. If I were to go through and pick out the embarrassing moments, the poignant memories, the scattered life lessons from my time line could I create an interesting tale? And what would it say about me? I really have no idea - this is just crazy stream of conscious rambling on my part. Of course, the books listed below are best sellers because they are written by famous people who we already know something about and want to know more about and the chances of me writing a memoir that the population at large wants to read are slim to none. (I say this because working in publishing has taught me that people have a huge need to tell their stories; but not all these stories can or should be published. As heartbreaking as that might be).
Enough with the blabbing; on with the books.
Shannon's Highly Mathematical Ranking System For Judging Literary Quality
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
1. I Know I Am But What Are You - Samantha Bee
I've always liked Samantha Bee and admired the fact that she is one of the few female correspondents for The Daily Show. This book intrigued me because we don't often see the "real" Samantha Bee behind her television persona. I don't know that this book showed me that but also I don't know that it necessarily needed to. It's written from a very self-deprecating place (another common theme in these books) and I appreciate that because it makes her more human. There's a backwards insecurity to self-deprecation that I get and understand; I relate to it and use it myself, especially when referring to those horrible awkward years that lasted way too long. So, do I get her as a person any better? Not necessarily. But I very much enjoyed laughing and cringing my way through this book and I think I'll enjoy her presence on The Daily Show all that much more in the future.
RATING: Good book, I'll add it to my collection
2. Bossypants - Tina Fey
If you don't love Tina Fey then... well, I don't know what to say about you except that there is something wrong in your brain. Really, go see a doctor about that.
Much like Samantha Bee's book there is a infusion of self deprecation that pours off these pages that are part autobiography/part humorous essays/part life lesson manual. I loved reading about her days in Chicago, the way in which the Sarah Palin impression came about and the writing process of 30 Rock. There were more than a few moments that made me laugh so hard I had to stop reading, then re-read and laugh myself into giddiness all over again.
Through it all there is an ever present underlining of intelligence and self-awareness, especially when it comes to what it means to be a woman in her industry. She gets asked a lot about what it's like being the boss of so many people. But does Donald Trump ever get asked that? Why is it SO impressive just because she's a women? Because it's unusual? Or because of this idea that it's harder for a woman to be boss? This is honestly something that I've never really given a lot of thought to but I have to think it's a little bit of both. It IS unusual. So many of the writing staffs in Hollywood are dominantly male, the majority of CEO's are male, the majority of congress is male - a woman in her position IS impressive. The times, they are a-changing but it's a slow change and the pre-conceived notions about gender roles are so embedded into society that it's a legitimate wonder if we'll ever get to a place where a woman of power is seen as equal. With the likes of Tina Fey around though I have to think we're moving in the right direction.
RATING: LOVED IT.
3. My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me - Hilary Winston
As a single woman in Southern California with a cat, this was one of the most relatable books I've ever read. I felt like I could have written some of these chapters and I found myself feeling better about some of the experiences I've had because I'm not alone! And I do the same weird things! And I close myself off in the same way! And I had the same almost word-for-word experience at Build-A-Bear! I want to run around and scream "SOLIDARITY SISTER!" But why oh why does it have to be so hard for some people?
I think I was expecting this to be MORE humorous than it is but that's not a complaint at all. There are some darker moments here, some bittersweet morsels that are funny only in their sadness and the way she relates them. Why I'm surprised by this I don't know because Hilary is a writer for Community and that show is most definitely a mix of funny and dark and heart. (Also, it's super interesting to wonder about the ways in which she influenced the character of Britta. The same emotional and broken beats are there in both women.)
HIGHLY recommend this one for the single ladies.
RATING: LOVED IT.
4. Being Written - William Conescu
Is this what I get for breaking the pattern? Probably. The premise is very interesting: a Stranger than Fiction-esque sort of story where the main character knows he's in a book - Daniel Fischer's been continually relegated to the background but when he finds himself in the midst of a new story he attempts to take matters into his own hands; he wants a starring role. Okay? Sounds good and interesting.
But what it delves into is just... meh, weirdness. Daniel starts to believe that he IS the main character, that he's meant to be the hero and get the happy ending but this belief leads him to do awful and slightly creepy things all in the name of the "story." He's left at the end believing that everything is about to go his way when on the contrary, it is very heavily implied that if this book does have a happy ending, it is not for him. He's the antagonist and the antagonist is due for a comeuppance.
So, I get it. It's interesting and intriguing and it makes me think but in order for me to really be drawn into something I have to care about the characters and at least root along with them. I can't here and it leaves me feeling cold.
RATING: Meh
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Books of February
Shannon's Highly Mathematical Ranking System For Judging Literary Quality
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
1. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot - Craig Ferguson
I've had a lot of respect for Craig Ferguson ever since back in whatever year it was that Britney Spears had her melt down and shaved her head and beat up a car with an umbrella and she was on the cover of every gossip rag and everyone was speculating and making jokes and you couldn't turn sideways without hearing about the fall of America's pop princess. But Craig Ferguson went on his show and said that this is a young girl who has a problem, a problem that he understands, and that he wouldn't be making fun of her anymore because she was obviously troubled. And man, did I respect that. Interestingly enough, he has recently made similar comments regarding Charlie Sheen and whatever the hell he's been doing. Again, respect. In the advent of reality television we have become way too amused with watching the humiliations of others for sport. Although I suppose that's been going on forever too.
Anyways, this book. Is good. I very much appreciated it's honesty and humor and darkness (and even in the darkest places of the book, the humor remains). He is very open about his pre-sober years and experiences with alcohol and drugs and it's just this little glimpse into who he was and how he came to the place he is today. And as you may be able to tell from the title it's also a little bit of a love story between him and America and the amount to which he loves this country (but his homeland as well) just oozes off the page. In a time when patriotism seems to be equated with bible-thumping and guns and Sarah Palin, it's refreshing.
And for fun, a recent interview Craig did with my favorite Joel McHale.
2. Heat Wave - Richard Castle
I don't know if I've ever really talked about Castle on this blog but it's one of the shows that I look forward to every week. One of my friends recommended it to me after an episode in which they find a body that has the phrase, "your out of time" written across the torso. Castle notes that instead of "your" it should be "you're" and then says, "I'm just saying, whoever killed her also murdered the English language." My friend felt that this is the kind of humor I would enjoy. And she was correct. The show is a lot of fun (interesting cases, snappy dialogue, etc), the relationship between Beckett and Castle is adorable and Nathan Fillion is always amazing.
The character of Richard Castle is a novelist using his time at the precinct to research his book about fictional detective Nikki Heat. And this is meant to be that book, ghostwritten under the name Richard Castle. I very much enjoyed it and I would actually be interested to give it to someone who hasn't seen the show to see if they enjoy it as much because so much of it felt like an episode of the show with characters that I could already picture in my head.
So, in summary: Good book. Good show. Fun, smart characters either way.
3. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
Movie adaptations of books. Tricky things. Ninety-five percent of the time when asked "book or movie?" I will probably pick "book." Especially if I've read the book first. However, I'm not a total purist. For instance: there are some people who loathe and detest the Harry Potter movies for how much they've changed or haven't stayed true to the books. My thoughts? Meh, whatever. I DO like the books better than the movies just because there is so much there and the writing is so captivating and characters such as the Weasley twins get more time for personality and humor. But I also LOVE the movies. For what they are. I try to disassociate the two in my head. Besides, there's no way that anyone could make a movie that stays completely true to the books. That series of movies would be fifty hours long. And while yes, I might watch it, NO ONE'S going to make that movie.
So, I went into this book with an open mind. I had already seen the movie with Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer and adored it and had heard good things about the book. But honestly? I wasn't too impressed. Maybe, maybe if I had read the book first. But in my mind's eye I can see the characters from the movie - Tristan Thorne as he transforms from awkward suitor to dashing hero, Robert DeNiro's drag queen ship captain, the final climactic battle complete with vodoo and explosions and the magical abilities of a star - and the book lacked all of that. The humor wasn't there, the character development wasn't there, the relationship between Yvaine and Tristan just kind of happens and you don't get to SEE them fall in love, and my biggest issue - in the end there's no real villain. I'm okay with bad guys who aren't so cut and dry evil (HELLO, Benjamin Linus from LOST was totally the bad guy but he also had sympathetic qualities that made me want to hug him) but in this case, all the "bad guys" just kind of walk off screen. There's no battle or climax at the end with the witch, Tristan doesn't get to dump Victoria on her ass - there's no payoff to anything.
I did like that we got a little bit more into some of the origin stories and I do have to admit that even though Victoria didn't get a comupance, her arc is satisfying. It's just that in the end the book kind of ends and that's it. The magic that I loved from the movie wasn't there. So. I might try reading another Neil Gaiman book to see if I'm less prejudiced when I don't have any expectations. But other than that...
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
1. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot - Craig Ferguson
I've had a lot of respect for Craig Ferguson ever since back in whatever year it was that Britney Spears had her melt down and shaved her head and beat up a car with an umbrella and she was on the cover of every gossip rag and everyone was speculating and making jokes and you couldn't turn sideways without hearing about the fall of America's pop princess. But Craig Ferguson went on his show and said that this is a young girl who has a problem, a problem that he understands, and that he wouldn't be making fun of her anymore because she was obviously troubled. And man, did I respect that. Interestingly enough, he has recently made similar comments regarding Charlie Sheen and whatever the hell he's been doing. Again, respect. In the advent of reality television we have become way too amused with watching the humiliations of others for sport. Although I suppose that's been going on forever too.
Anyways, this book. Is good. I very much appreciated it's honesty and humor and darkness (and even in the darkest places of the book, the humor remains). He is very open about his pre-sober years and experiences with alcohol and drugs and it's just this little glimpse into who he was and how he came to the place he is today. And as you may be able to tell from the title it's also a little bit of a love story between him and America and the amount to which he loves this country (but his homeland as well) just oozes off the page. In a time when patriotism seems to be equated with bible-thumping and guns and Sarah Palin, it's refreshing.
RATING: LOVED IT
And for fun, a recent interview Craig did with my favorite Joel McHale.
2. Heat Wave - Richard Castle
I don't know if I've ever really talked about Castle on this blog but it's one of the shows that I look forward to every week. One of my friends recommended it to me after an episode in which they find a body that has the phrase, "your out of time" written across the torso. Castle notes that instead of "your" it should be "you're" and then says, "I'm just saying, whoever killed her also murdered the English language." My friend felt that this is the kind of humor I would enjoy. And she was correct. The show is a lot of fun (interesting cases, snappy dialogue, etc), the relationship between Beckett and Castle is adorable and Nathan Fillion is always amazing.
The character of Richard Castle is a novelist using his time at the precinct to research his book about fictional detective Nikki Heat. And this is meant to be that book, ghostwritten under the name Richard Castle. I very much enjoyed it and I would actually be interested to give it to someone who hasn't seen the show to see if they enjoy it as much because so much of it felt like an episode of the show with characters that I could already picture in my head.
So, in summary: Good book. Good show. Fun, smart characters either way.
RATING: Good book, I'll add it to my collection.
3. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
Movie adaptations of books. Tricky things. Ninety-five percent of the time when asked "book or movie?" I will probably pick "book." Especially if I've read the book first. However, I'm not a total purist. For instance: there are some people who loathe and detest the Harry Potter movies for how much they've changed or haven't stayed true to the books. My thoughts? Meh, whatever. I DO like the books better than the movies just because there is so much there and the writing is so captivating and characters such as the Weasley twins get more time for personality and humor. But I also LOVE the movies. For what they are. I try to disassociate the two in my head. Besides, there's no way that anyone could make a movie that stays completely true to the books. That series of movies would be fifty hours long. And while yes, I might watch it, NO ONE'S going to make that movie.
So, I went into this book with an open mind. I had already seen the movie with Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer and adored it and had heard good things about the book. But honestly? I wasn't too impressed. Maybe, maybe if I had read the book first. But in my mind's eye I can see the characters from the movie - Tristan Thorne as he transforms from awkward suitor to dashing hero, Robert DeNiro's drag queen ship captain, the final climactic battle complete with vodoo and explosions and the magical abilities of a star - and the book lacked all of that. The humor wasn't there, the character development wasn't there, the relationship between Yvaine and Tristan just kind of happens and you don't get to SEE them fall in love, and my biggest issue - in the end there's no real villain. I'm okay with bad guys who aren't so cut and dry evil (HELLO, Benjamin Linus from LOST was totally the bad guy but he also had sympathetic qualities that made me want to hug him) but in this case, all the "bad guys" just kind of walk off screen. There's no battle or climax at the end with the witch, Tristan doesn't get to dump Victoria on her ass - there's no payoff to anything.
I did like that we got a little bit more into some of the origin stories and I do have to admit that even though Victoria didn't get a comupance, her arc is satisfying. It's just that in the end the book kind of ends and that's it. The magic that I loved from the movie wasn't there. So. I might try reading another Neil Gaiman book to see if I'm less prejudiced when I don't have any expectations. But other than that...
RATING: Meh.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Books of January
I was all set to write out some kind of hoity-toity intellectual review here, touting the literary successes and failings of these books; but then I actually started writing and it turned into typical incoherent nonsense in which I ramble about what I OMG LOOOOOVED. So. These won't be reviews or even mini little book reports, just my thoughts, for whatever they're worth (or understood).
And this is of vital importance. My ranking system. I could go with the typical 1-5 star ratings or thumbs up or thumbs down, but let's keep this informal shall we?
Shannon's Highly Mathematical Ranking System For Judging Literary Quality
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
Got that straight? Not too complicated? Okay, here we go.
1. Sloppy Firsts - Megan McCafferty
One of the reasons that "Chick-Lit" sometimes annoys me is that it tends to always be the same. Some unlucky-at-love young woman moves to the city or dreams of moving to the city and finding a handsome husband or winning the man she's always been in love with and along the way she meets another guy she hates at first but then slowly learns to love because he really gets her and yadda yadda yadda. (And yes I admit it, I still do read it and enjoy it. BUT, the repetitiveness IS annoying).
This is why I like Young Adult Literature. It's actually about STUFF. Which sounds vague but is true. I'm 27 years old but I can relate to a lot of the issues that these teen characters are going through, especially in terms of the emo "WHAT IS THIS LIFE?" question that is always prevalent. THAT is interesting to me. So this, the first book in the Jessica Darling series, is in fact darling. Which is weird because the main character is sometimes unlikeable and I want to smack her for all the whining she does but then I remember, she's a teenager and so much of what she thinks and feels is what I thought and felt in high school.
She's awkward and lonely and her best friend has just moved away. She doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere at school, she's a stressed out insomniac, she's uncomfortable in her own skin - I relate to these things. And the very conversational way that Megan McCafferty writes dialogue and even Jessica's inner thoughts, bring this whole story to life.
And then there's Marcus Flutie. I love me some Marcus Flutie. I wish I had known a Marcus Flutie in high school. (For that matter, I wish I knew one now). I have no idea why, he's supposed to be a redhead, but I keep picturing him being played by Scott Michael Foster who plays Cappie on Greek. I don't know. But the image works for me. He's the archetype bad boy who does drugs and sleeps around and mouths off but as we, and Jessica get to know him we see that there's something deeper there (the something deeper being the thing that makes me love him). And in all honesty, Marcus Flutie makes this books for me. I don't know what that says about my reasonings and taste.
Second verse. Same as the first.
And Marcus Flutie is even more AMAZING.
RATING: Good book, I'll add it to my collection.
Another Young Adult novel. This one follows Colin, a recent high school graduate who has just has his heart broken by Katherine, the 19th Katherine that's he's dated over the course of his life. Colin is a child prodigy, he's broken-hearted and his best friend decides to cure him by taking him on a road trip.
Along the way Colin attempts to use his enormous brain power to come up with some sort of mathematical equation to pre-determine the outcome of a relationship. We get glimpses into the the past nineteen relationships, and meet a whole new cast of characters that enter his life through the coarse of the book.
So, if you knew the outcome of a relationship before entering into it, would it make a difference? If you knew your heart was going to get broken in the end would you still find the experience to be worth it? I don't know. In hindsight I might be able to say that certain painful moments have been worth it and I wouldn't change those things. But if I knew something was coming, if I met a great guy tomorrow and knew that we would have an amazing relationship but that it would eventually end, would I still put myself through it? Honestly, I have no clue. But it's something to think about.
RATING: LOVED IT
4. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
One of the marks of a good book for me is if I'm still thinking about it days later. Did the setting feel real? Are the characters still with me? Are the themes still resonating?
In the case of this book, I can give all those questions a resounding YES. YES. YES. YES. I had heard that it was good and have actually had it on my book shelf to read for about six months; so now I'm just wondering what took me so long to read it. SUCH a good book with very real characters and dialogue I could hear perfectly in my head and a story that made it hard to put down.
It presents a very real image of life in Civil Rights era Mississippi, of a time that seems so long ago, of attitudes and perceptions that that seem so archaic and yet, aren't. The 1960's were NOT all that long ago. My own parents were alive during these years and when I think of it in these terms it's a little mind-boggling. And what's even more insane to me? These attitudes STILL exist. Perhaps not on as great a scale, but they're still there, permeating our politics and educational system and the very way we look at and treat each other.
Despite the fact that this story delves into some dark times and ideas, there's still an underlying sense of hope in these pages seen through the relationship that these women form, the difference they attempt to make and the knowledge (of the reader) that things eventually DO change. When I finished the last page it was with a *sigh* of sadness but only because it was over and I wanted to continue on the journey with these characters.
But then of course I just found out that there's a movie coming out staring Emma Stone so this just makes me super happy.
RATING: OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The 2011 List
New Years Resolutions. Basically one big recipe for failure and disappointment right?
Oh, it's the start of the new year and I'm going to be better and lose those ten pounds and spend more time with my family and quit smoking and volunteer at the local homeless shelter! It's the year of a new me! I'm REALLY going to do it this time!
*Fast-forward two-weeks later*
Eh. I hurt my back working out and I'm tired and stressed and it's almost tax time and boo I don't have anyone to spend Valentines Day with again and my boss sucks and this bacon cheeseburger tastes SO good and what New Years Resolution? Oh yeah...
Last year my friends and I decided not to make resolutions. Hence, The 2010 Project. Ten things that we wanted to do or accomplish sometime during the year. Fun things that we've always wanted to try, goals that we wanted to strive for, new things and ways of looking at life. These weren't New Years resolutions, these were... well, a bucket list of sorts.
Okay. I know. It sounds an awful lot like a New Years resolution. Especially considering things like last years inclusion of "wear a bikini on the beach." But whatever. It's makes sense to me. Haters to the left.
So. This year I'm trying it again. I suppose I should put eleven things on the liast since it is 2011. But let's not get too crazy.
Drumroll please...
1. Read 25 books I've never read
2. Submit something for publication
3. Start running
4. Get a passport
5. Participate in or join something
6. Blog at least once per week
7. Learn a new skill
8. Go somewhere I've never been
9. Give up fast food
10. Do at least 1 thing the "Shannon of 2010" wouldn't have done.
Several of these things were on last years list but they are things that I would still like to do, damn my laziness, so there you go.
The hardest one? Will probably be #9. It's not that I'm addicted to fast food or even eat it all that much. But once again, laziness and sloth kick in and *cue whiny voice* I don't waaaaaaaaant to cook. It's so much eeeeeeasier to swing through the In 'n Out drive-thru on the way home. (Although Melissa can vouch for the fact that this isn't always the best idea. Am I right friend?) Well, I don't want to do that this year. And it sort of helps that the last few times I've eaten fast food I've gotten sick and my brain is already in, did that burger come in a wrapper? NO. DO NOT WANT mode. So I'm gonna ride with that for a bit.
* My criteria for deciding if something is "fast-food": Does this establishment normally have a drive-thru? If yes, then it is fast food. McDonalds, Burger King, In n' Out (Sob! I'll miss you the most!) - all out.
So. What skills should I learn? Guitar-playing? A new language? How to drive stick? (Oh Loyd Dobler and Pacey Witter, where are you when I need you?) And what books should I read? Which destination should I chose as my "place I've never been?"
I DON'T KNOW! There are so many options and choices and that's what's fun, that's what makes me excited. Hopefully in 12 months I'll be able to say, "Look! Here's my rejection letter from such and such magazine!" and "This is the list of books I've read!" and "Watch me play this song on the guitar!" and "WOW, I haven't eaten fast food in SO long!" and "Look at this video of me sky-diving!" (YIKES). And even if I can't? Well then, may the next twelve months be as interesting and love/fun/joy/laughter filled as possible.
Whatever happens, happens.
Oh, it's the start of the new year and I'm going to be better and lose those ten pounds and spend more time with my family and quit smoking and volunteer at the local homeless shelter! It's the year of a new me! I'm REALLY going to do it this time!
*Fast-forward two-weeks later*
Eh. I hurt my back working out and I'm tired and stressed and it's almost tax time and boo I don't have anyone to spend Valentines Day with again and my boss sucks and this bacon cheeseburger tastes SO good and what New Years Resolution? Oh yeah...
Last year my friends and I decided not to make resolutions. Hence, The 2010 Project. Ten things that we wanted to do or accomplish sometime during the year. Fun things that we've always wanted to try, goals that we wanted to strive for, new things and ways of looking at life. These weren't New Years resolutions, these were... well, a bucket list of sorts.
Okay. I know. It sounds an awful lot like a New Years resolution. Especially considering things like last years inclusion of "wear a bikini on the beach." But whatever. It's makes sense to me. Haters to the left.
So. This year I'm trying it again. I suppose I should put eleven things on the liast since it is 2011. But let's not get too crazy.
Drumroll please...
1. Read 25 books I've never read
2. Submit something for publication
3. Start running
4. Get a passport
5. Participate in or join something
6. Blog at least once per week
7. Learn a new skill
8. Go somewhere I've never been
9. Give up fast food
10. Do at least 1 thing the "Shannon of 2010" wouldn't have done.
Several of these things were on last years list but they are things that I would still like to do, damn my laziness, so there you go.
The hardest one? Will probably be #9. It's not that I'm addicted to fast food or even eat it all that much. But once again, laziness and sloth kick in and *cue whiny voice* I don't waaaaaaaaant to cook. It's so much eeeeeeasier to swing through the In 'n Out drive-thru on the way home. (Although Melissa can vouch for the fact that this isn't always the best idea. Am I right friend?) Well, I don't want to do that this year. And it sort of helps that the last few times I've eaten fast food I've gotten sick and my brain is already in, did that burger come in a wrapper? NO. DO NOT WANT mode. So I'm gonna ride with that for a bit.
* My criteria for deciding if something is "fast-food": Does this establishment normally have a drive-thru? If yes, then it is fast food. McDonalds, Burger King, In n' Out (Sob! I'll miss you the most!) - all out.
So. What skills should I learn? Guitar-playing? A new language? How to drive stick? (Oh Loyd Dobler and Pacey Witter, where are you when I need you?) And what books should I read? Which destination should I chose as my "place I've never been?"
I DON'T KNOW! There are so many options and choices and that's what's fun, that's what makes me excited. Hopefully in 12 months I'll be able to say, "Look! Here's my rejection letter from such and such magazine!" and "This is the list of books I've read!" and "Watch me play this song on the guitar!" and "WOW, I haven't eaten fast food in SO long!" and "Look at this video of me sky-diving!" (YIKES). And even if I can't? Well then, may the next twelve months be as interesting and love/fun/joy/laughter filled as possible.
Whatever happens, happens.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Albert Einstein Randomness
"You will make sure that I get my three meals a day in my room. You are neither to expect intimacy nor to reproach me in any way."
Yup. That'll do it buddy.
It's both horrible and hilarious but also a little insight into the man whose name has become synonymous with "genius." I've honestly never known much about him other than he helped to initiate the Manhattan Project and then developed a little something called E=MC2 (Yeah, I know, my knowledge is astounding.) But apparently he was also kind of a jackass of a husband. Good to know.
If you're interested in garnering some more random knowledge I do recommend "Know it All." Jacobs takes on the almost impossible task of reading through the entire set of Encyclopedia Britannica (44 million words!) and chronicles the journey in alphabetical order through random facts about various Britannica subjects. He also interweaves personal memoirs, including the struggle he and his wife have in trying to conceive their first child. It's a hilarious and at times poignant read. Two thumbs up.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Things I'm Loving
1. The Hunger Games
I had heard a lot of talk recently about the release of the third book in this trilogy, Mockingjay, and everything seemed to point to it being something I would enjoy so I bought the first book while I was at Target the other day. After a few days of it just sitting around in various places around my house I finally picked it up last night at around 10:30. And I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. Which resulted in me staying up till about 3 am to finish the dang thing. My eyeballs were ready to melt out of my skull but it was so worth it - really well written and thought-provoking and riveting. I was completely caught up in the world of of Katniss and Peeta and this strange North America That Was.
I've always had a weird fascination with these post-apocalyptic/Big Brother-taking-over kinds of stories where human character is tested: The Giver, Brave New World, The Road - books that ask, when faced with the direst of circumstances how will we respond and react to the world and each other? And yes, sometimes it's extremely dark and brutal but also just so lovely at the same time. Kind of like life I suppose.
Needless to say, I'm on my way out to pick up books two and three right now.
2. AMC
So, I was going to give this spot to Breaking Bad because I've been main-lining that show like a heroin (IRONY) these past few weeks and am just absolutely blown away by everything that this show chooses to be. But then Mad Men waltzed on in this week and punched me in the face with about eighty-seven different emotions. So, AMC in general? I love you.
I started in on Breaking Bad actually for silly reasons (I saw Aaron Paul hanging around at Lollapallooza and thought, hey I should watch his show) but then it completely sucked me in. These characters are so well-drawn and believable. I simultaneously hate them and love them. Walt is a complete badass and scary as hell at times but at the same time I can't help rooting for the guy. And Jesse is a whiny entitled idiot but I just want to weep for him because despite it all he still feels so innocent. And in almost every single episode I find myself at some point all curled-up and tense at wondering about the fate of these characters. I'm loving it and hating it at the same time because it's SO good but it's destroying my soul in the telling of this completely devastating story.
And speaking of devastating: Mad Men. Holy goodness, Jon Hamm. You sir, are an actor. This past episode killed me. Don and Peggy bonding and leaning on each other and yelling at each other and being so truthful in a way hardly anyone on this show every is - it was just beautiful. The last scene where he holds her hand? Still makes me a little choked up just thinking about it.
Yes AMC, thank you for your deliciously wonderful programming. This is quality.
Oh! And I find myself a little stupidly excited for The Walking Dead. I think this might go back to what I was saying above about my weird fascination with post-apocalyptic themes. Check out the trailer.
3. Lollapallooza Artists
I still really need to do a blog dedicated to the entirety of Lollapallooza but right now I'm just focusing on some of my new favorite artists that have come from the event. Namely, Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and The Temper Trap. In the case of Edward Sharpe, this was a band that I already loved; "Home" is one of my favorite songs right now and will probably always remind me a little bit of 2010. But watching them live is a completely new experience. First, their set was probably one of my favorites from the entire weekend. It was also probably the biggest hippy-dippy-love-fest I've ever been a part of (This band EXUDES love and happiness). I've since been listening to the entire self-titled C.D. and it's the perfect companion for a drive down the coast with the windows down. (Fun/sad fact: the seed money to record their first album came from Mr. Health Ledger *sigh*).
I also knew The Temper Trap previously. Or rather, the one song "Sweet Disposition" from the "500 Days of Summer" soundtrack. But the entire CD is pretty fabulous. Every song is something unique and ranging between the upbeat "Fader" ad the smooth "Soldier On" that accentuates the crazy high falsetto of the lead singer.
Then there's Mumford and Sons who are adorable Aussies with a folksy sound. And... I don't even know what to say. Amazing lyrics and harmony. It's hard to choose a favorite song but I'd have to say that The Cave is pretty high on the list. It's one of those songs that makes me want to get up and DO something with this life.
4. Threadless.com
If I could live in a tee-shirt and jeans forever I would. And this website would keep me in tee-shirts for life cause I would buy almost everything. Like this design which has been sold out forever. But I WANT.
5. Blueberry Vodka
It's like you're not even drinking alcohol. Which yeah, kind of dangerous. But it's all good. Just throw a splash of lemonade in there and it's like blueberries are having a party in your mouth! Plus you get drunk. And sometimes that's fun.
I had heard a lot of talk recently about the release of the third book in this trilogy, Mockingjay, and everything seemed to point to it being something I would enjoy so I bought the first book while I was at Target the other day. After a few days of it just sitting around in various places around my house I finally picked it up last night at around 10:30. And I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. Which resulted in me staying up till about 3 am to finish the dang thing. My eyeballs were ready to melt out of my skull but it was so worth it - really well written and thought-provoking and riveting. I was completely caught up in the world of of Katniss and Peeta and this strange North America That Was.
I've always had a weird fascination with these post-apocalyptic/Big Brother-taking-over kinds of stories where human character is tested: The Giver, Brave New World, The Road - books that ask, when faced with the direst of circumstances how will we respond and react to the world and each other? And yes, sometimes it's extremely dark and brutal but also just so lovely at the same time. Kind of like life I suppose.
Needless to say, I'm on my way out to pick up books two and three right now.
2. AMC
So, I was going to give this spot to Breaking Bad because I've been main-lining that show like a heroin (IRONY) these past few weeks and am just absolutely blown away by everything that this show chooses to be. But then Mad Men waltzed on in this week and punched me in the face with about eighty-seven different emotions. So, AMC in general? I love you.
I started in on Breaking Bad actually for silly reasons (I saw Aaron Paul hanging around at Lollapallooza and thought, hey I should watch his show) but then it completely sucked me in. These characters are so well-drawn and believable. I simultaneously hate them and love them. Walt is a complete badass and scary as hell at times but at the same time I can't help rooting for the guy. And Jesse is a whiny entitled idiot but I just want to weep for him because despite it all he still feels so innocent. And in almost every single episode I find myself at some point all curled-up and tense at wondering about the fate of these characters. I'm loving it and hating it at the same time because it's SO good but it's destroying my soul in the telling of this completely devastating story.
And speaking of devastating: Mad Men. Holy goodness, Jon Hamm. You sir, are an actor. This past episode killed me. Don and Peggy bonding and leaning on each other and yelling at each other and being so truthful in a way hardly anyone on this show every is - it was just beautiful. The last scene where he holds her hand? Still makes me a little choked up just thinking about it.
Yes AMC, thank you for your deliciously wonderful programming. This is quality.
Oh! And I find myself a little stupidly excited for The Walking Dead. I think this might go back to what I was saying above about my weird fascination with post-apocalyptic themes. Check out the trailer.
3. Lollapallooza Artists
I still really need to do a blog dedicated to the entirety of Lollapallooza but right now I'm just focusing on some of my new favorite artists that have come from the event. Namely, Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and The Temper Trap. In the case of Edward Sharpe, this was a band that I already loved; "Home" is one of my favorite songs right now and will probably always remind me a little bit of 2010. But watching them live is a completely new experience. First, their set was probably one of my favorites from the entire weekend. It was also probably the biggest hippy-dippy-love-fest I've ever been a part of (This band EXUDES love and happiness). I've since been listening to the entire self-titled C.D. and it's the perfect companion for a drive down the coast with the windows down. (Fun/sad fact: the seed money to record their first album came from Mr. Health Ledger *sigh*).
I also knew The Temper Trap previously. Or rather, the one song "Sweet Disposition" from the "500 Days of Summer" soundtrack. But the entire CD is pretty fabulous. Every song is something unique and ranging between the upbeat "Fader" ad the smooth "Soldier On" that accentuates the crazy high falsetto of the lead singer.
Then there's Mumford and Sons who are adorable Aussies with a folksy sound. And... I don't even know what to say. Amazing lyrics and harmony. It's hard to choose a favorite song but I'd have to say that The Cave is pretty high on the list. It's one of those songs that makes me want to get up and DO something with this life.
4. Threadless.com
If I could live in a tee-shirt and jeans forever I would. And this website would keep me in tee-shirts for life cause I would buy almost everything. Like this design which has been sold out forever. But I WANT.
5. Blueberry Vodka
It's like you're not even drinking alcohol. Which yeah, kind of dangerous. But it's all good. Just throw a splash of lemonade in there and it's like blueberries are having a party in your mouth! Plus you get drunk. And sometimes that's fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)