Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Review: A Wedding in December
In Anita Shreve's ensemble novel, seven former high school friends reunite for a wedding in the Berkshires, 26 years after their graduation. This Big Chill–like gathering stirs old passions and feuds, some of which have been festering since the death of a charismatic schoolmate at a high school party. As usual, Shreve puts her characters through the emotional wringer before she sets them out to dry. Wedding in December is one of her most effective and moving works. ~ From Goodreads
I enjoyed the concept of high school friends reuniting after twenty-seven years, but the way the author carried out the concept left something to be desired. The book was at its best when the characters were interacting with each other. I enjoyed the scenes between Harrison and Nora. I would have been quite happy if the entire story was just about them. The story, however, included a large cast of characters, many of whom didn't get the page space they deserved.
Unfortunately, the author chose to cut back on the interactions between characters and include letters and Anges' story. I was especially annoyed by the number of pages wasted on the story. I wanted to skim past it, but I wasn't sure if it was important so I kept slogging through it. In the end, I think the story should have been cut or severely shortened. Its inclusion was distracting and clunky.
This book could have been very good, but in the end, its just okay. This is the first book I read by Anita Shrieve. I would be willing to read more of her books, but I don't think this one is rereadable.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fall Television
So there's just two months until the Fall TV season starts up, and I'm telling you, I'm anxious for it to begin. Summer Television is less than enthralling when you don't have cable. I've been watching stuck watching the Bachelorette and reruns of Gossip Girl. Not exceptionally pleasant. At least, this fall promises to have some good shows going for it. There will be the return of my personal favorites: Supernatural and Vampire Diaries. Both shows ended with cliffhangers and I'm going to be very interested in what the next season brings for my favorite hunters and vampires.
I'm more excited, however, about the new shows turning up on all the channels. Last season had less than stellar new shows, so I'm still going into this season realistic and yet hopeful. For the fall, I'm most excited about Terra Nova - the show that has dinosaurs, time travel, and Steven Spielberg all rolled into one. Terra Nova could either be really, really great or really, really awful. The budget for the show is enormous, so the audience is going to have to be a pretty decent size to keep this show on the air. I have high hopes, but that's mainly just because I love anything with dinosaurs in it. Yes, this sadly includes Primeval.
Another show I'm interested in is the Ringer. I loved Buffy and am excited to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in a new show. Also, the show has Ioan Gruffudd. I've been a fan of that man since I first saw Horatio Hornblower when I was in high school. I hope his first foray into American TV turns out well for him. A bit of history, the show was passed over by CBS and then picked up by the CW for the Fall season. I'm still not sure how to take this. You see . . . I loath CBS. Their shows tend to be awful and overly dramatic. If the Ringer isn't like other CBS shows, this is good news to me. I'm hoping that CBS overlooked the show because it wasn't their style rather than because it wasn't that good. I look forward to having yet another awesome CW show to watch.
Finally, I'm intrigued by Person of Interest. This is a CBS show, but I'm going to try and watch with an open mind. Alright, the open mind thing is actually going to be really hard because the show is produced by J.J. Abrams. I used to love J.J., but now, I'm a bit disillusioned. I loved Super 8, but that hardly makes up for the awful ending of Lost or the badness of Fringe. I don't trust him when it comes to shows. There are two reasons, however, that make me willing to overlook all of this. The first is Michael Emerson. Ben from Lost is one of my favorite characters ever. I think Michael Emerson was brilliant in that role, and I can't wait to see what he chooses to do next. The second reason is that Jonathan Nolan is one of the producers. Jonathan Nolan is the little brother of Christopher and the writer of the Dark Knight and Prestige. I love the Nolan brothers and want to see what he's up to with this show. I trust him about as much as I distrust J.J. Oh yeah, and I forgot to say what this show is about. Imdb.com describes the show as centering on an ex-CIA hitman and a scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen. Could be interesting. Could be lame. We'll just have to wait and see.
I'm more excited, however, about the new shows turning up on all the channels. Last season had less than stellar new shows, so I'm still going into this season realistic and yet hopeful. For the fall, I'm most excited about Terra Nova - the show that has dinosaurs, time travel, and Steven Spielberg all rolled into one. Terra Nova could either be really, really great or really, really awful. The budget for the show is enormous, so the audience is going to have to be a pretty decent size to keep this show on the air. I have high hopes, but that's mainly just because I love anything with dinosaurs in it. Yes, this sadly includes Primeval. Another show I'm interested in is the Ringer. I loved Buffy and am excited to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in a new show. Also, the show has Ioan Gruffudd. I've been a fan of that man since I first saw Horatio Hornblower when I was in high school. I hope his first foray into American TV turns out well for him. A bit of history, the show was passed over by CBS and then picked up by the CW for the Fall season. I'm still not sure how to take this. You see . . . I loath CBS. Their shows tend to be awful and overly dramatic. If the Ringer isn't like other CBS shows, this is good news to me. I'm hoping that CBS overlooked the show because it wasn't their style rather than because it wasn't that good. I look forward to having yet another awesome CW show to watch.
Finally, I'm intrigued by Person of Interest. This is a CBS show, but I'm going to try and watch with an open mind. Alright, the open mind thing is actually going to be really hard because the show is produced by J.J. Abrams. I used to love J.J., but now, I'm a bit disillusioned. I loved Super 8, but that hardly makes up for the awful ending of Lost or the badness of Fringe. I don't trust him when it comes to shows. There are two reasons, however, that make me willing to overlook all of this. The first is Michael Emerson. Ben from Lost is one of my favorite characters ever. I think Michael Emerson was brilliant in that role, and I can't wait to see what he chooses to do next. The second reason is that Jonathan Nolan is one of the producers. Jonathan Nolan is the little brother of Christopher and the writer of the Dark Knight and Prestige. I love the Nolan brothers and want to see what he's up to with this show. I trust him about as much as I distrust J.J. Oh yeah, and I forgot to say what this show is about. Imdb.com describes the show as centering on an ex-CIA hitman and a scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen. Could be interesting. Could be lame. We'll just have to wait and see. All I say say is this: Fall 2011 is going to make for some interesting television watching.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Young Visiters
The story: Forty-two year old Alfred Salteena meets the young and pretty Ethel on a train ride. He falls instantly in love with her and makes the rash promise to help her meet lords and dukes and royalty so that he might be able to spend more time with her. Everything is going along splendidly until she is introduced to Lord Clark. Lord Clark falls for her, and she falls for his title. Mr. Salteena decides that he must gain a title to win her love, and he goes off the the Crystal Palace where he is taught to be a gentleman.
The story is underwhelming in and of itself. The fun of this movie comes from the cast and from Daisy Ashford's entertaining view of her society. I don't want to give away the craziness that is Daisy Ashford's world, so I"ll just focus briefly on the actors. Mr. Salteena is played by Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge), Ethel by Lyndsey Marshall (Garrow's Law), and Lord Clark by Hugh Laurie (House). Okay, truth be told, I'm just going to focus on one actor. Hugh Laurie. Now, I love Hugh Laurie in whatever he is in, but I absolutely adored him in this. He is very understated here compared to some of the other actors, but his expressions are priceless. My favorite scenes were the proposal scene and the scene at the hotel. I was laughing through both of them, mostly because Hugh Laurie just appears so overwhelmed by Ethel's enthusiam. This movie is worth watching just for Hugh Laurie. If you are a fan of his at all, you must see this.
Overall, this film is very cute and funny. I enjoyed catching random glimpses of Bill Nighy (I Capture the Castle and He Knew He was Right), Sally Hawkins (Persuasion), and Sophie Thompson (Emma and Gosford Park). I also enjoyed the inappropriate dance scenes and Ethel's costumes (her dresses were unusual, but strangely pretty. I could picture Helena Bohnam Carter in them all, if that tells you anything). I fully recommend checking this out, if you can find it. Just remember, this was actually written by a nine year old. The narrator is NOT playing with you.
In conclusion, here is one of my favorite scenes. Spoilers beware!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair - Quick Review
An interesting memior concerning a woman working through her grief over her sister's death. I enjoyed sharing the author's journey, but sometimes the stories felt a bit repetitive, and later the chapters were a bit vague as to their purpose within the scope of the memior. The stories felt at times like they would have been better served as individual essays, rather than chapters in a book. I, personally, would recommend The Reading Promise over this book. They are similar, but The Reading Promise is much stronger and less indulgent.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Books, books, and more books. . .
1. Which book has been on your shelves the longest?
Probably my collection Lloyd Alexander and Madeline L‘Engle books, since The Chronicles of Narnia have been kicked out and onto the spare room‘s bookshelves.
2. What is your current read, your last read and the book you'll read next?
Current read: Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
Last read: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Next read: Well, the next in the pile of library books is Ink and Steel by Elizabeth Bear, but it might get switched out for Blackout by Connie Willis.
3. What book did everyone like and you hated?
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. I saw rave reviews all over the internet but the book is horribly written. The characters are shallow/one dimensional and somehow this fantasy manages to be completely unimaginative. AND the love story subplot wasn’t believable at all.
4. Which book do you keep telling yourself you'll read, but you probably won't?
Age of Innocence. There is just something about Edith Wharton’s books that make me become distracted after the first chapter.
5. Which book are you saving for "retirement"?
I’m not that patient. I don’t really save books.
6. Last page: read it first or wait till the end?
I never read the last page in a book I want to finish. If I begin skipping ahead in a book, I know its time to put it aside because I only do that with books that bore me.
7. Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside?
They can be really interesting. I’ve been reading these first because they give me a bit of an idea of how the book is going to go. If they are boring the book is usually boring too.
8. Which book character would you switch places with?
Tiffany Aching, cause she lives in Discworld and is otherwise awesome.
9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time)?
Emma by Jane Austen. I remember the very first time I sat down and opened the pages of my first library booksale copy. It was a magical moment. J
10. Name a book you acquired in some interesting way.
I found a first edition I Capture the Castle for free at the library, but that isn’t that interesting of a story. Sorry. I get all my books at the library book sale. I don’t really need to acquire them in any other way.
11. Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?
I give my cousin Abby books that I think she might like on occasion, but most of my books go to the library book sale.
12. Which book has been with you to the most places?
Pride and Prejudice, the one with the cover that makes it look like a bad romance novel. I’ve read that copy so many times that I finally considered it worn enough to allow myself to bend down the pages.
13. Any "required reading" you hated in high school that wasn't so bad ten years later?
Not in high school, but I was in a kids book club that read the Giver and I loathed that book the first time around. This past year I read it again and fell in love with it. I’m beginning to love post apocalyptic fiction ever since I read Canticle of Leobowitz and Hunger Games.
14. What is the strangest item you've ever found in a book?
Old baseball cards.
15. Used or brand new?
Library booksale books are the best.
16. Stephen King: Literary genius or opiate of the masses?
Genius. I just started reading his books this past year, and at the last booksale, I picked up about five of his so that I’ll have one on hand for awhile. I read three of his books in one year which is unusual for me since there aren’t many authors that I follow. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are about the only others that I read with any regularity.
17. Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book?
North and South. The book by Elizabeth Gaskell just wasn’t as good and looking at John Thorton is much more enjoyable than reading about him.
18. Conversely, which book should NEVER have been introduced to celluloid?
Twilight. Simply for the reason that the actors are horrible and there is not enough plot to make those books into interesting movies.
19. Have you ever read a book that's made you hungry, cookbooks being excluded from this question?
Nope.
20. Who is the person whose book advice you'll always take?
I don’t take advice on books. I’m super picky and freakishly controlling about my book choices.
Probably my collection Lloyd Alexander and Madeline L‘Engle books, since The Chronicles of Narnia have been kicked out and onto the spare room‘s bookshelves.
2. What is your current read, your last read and the book you'll read next?
Current read: Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
Last read: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Next read: Well, the next in the pile of library books is Ink and Steel by Elizabeth Bear, but it might get switched out for Blackout by Connie Willis.
3. What book did everyone like and you hated?
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. I saw rave reviews all over the internet but the book is horribly written. The characters are shallow/one dimensional and somehow this fantasy manages to be completely unimaginative. AND the love story subplot wasn’t believable at all.
4. Which book do you keep telling yourself you'll read, but you probably won't?
Age of Innocence. There is just something about Edith Wharton’s books that make me become distracted after the first chapter.
5. Which book are you saving for "retirement"?
I’m not that patient. I don’t really save books.
6. Last page: read it first or wait till the end?
I never read the last page in a book I want to finish. If I begin skipping ahead in a book, I know its time to put it aside because I only do that with books that bore me.
7. Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside?
They can be really interesting. I’ve been reading these first because they give me a bit of an idea of how the book is going to go. If they are boring the book is usually boring too.
8. Which book character would you switch places with?
Tiffany Aching, cause she lives in Discworld and is otherwise awesome.
9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time)?
Emma by Jane Austen. I remember the very first time I sat down and opened the pages of my first library booksale copy. It was a magical moment. J
10. Name a book you acquired in some interesting way.
I found a first edition I Capture the Castle for free at the library, but that isn’t that interesting of a story. Sorry. I get all my books at the library book sale. I don’t really need to acquire them in any other way.
11. Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?
I give my cousin Abby books that I think she might like on occasion, but most of my books go to the library book sale.
12. Which book has been with you to the most places?
Pride and Prejudice, the one with the cover that makes it look like a bad romance novel. I’ve read that copy so many times that I finally considered it worn enough to allow myself to bend down the pages.
13. Any "required reading" you hated in high school that wasn't so bad ten years later?
Not in high school, but I was in a kids book club that read the Giver and I loathed that book the first time around. This past year I read it again and fell in love with it. I’m beginning to love post apocalyptic fiction ever since I read Canticle of Leobowitz and Hunger Games.
14. What is the strangest item you've ever found in a book?
Old baseball cards.
15. Used or brand new?
Library booksale books are the best.
16. Stephen King: Literary genius or opiate of the masses?
Genius. I just started reading his books this past year, and at the last booksale, I picked up about five of his so that I’ll have one on hand for awhile. I read three of his books in one year which is unusual for me since there aren’t many authors that I follow. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are about the only others that I read with any regularity.
17. Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book?
North and South. The book by Elizabeth Gaskell just wasn’t as good and looking at John Thorton is much more enjoyable than reading about him.
18. Conversely, which book should NEVER have been introduced to celluloid?
Twilight. Simply for the reason that the actors are horrible and there is not enough plot to make those books into interesting movies.
19. Have you ever read a book that's made you hungry, cookbooks being excluded from this question?
Nope.
20. Who is the person whose book advice you'll always take?
I don’t take advice on books. I’m super picky and freakishly controlling about my book choices.
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