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Definitely not for meArchive for February, 2008
« Previous Entries Friday, February 29th, 20082 for the Sci-Fi Experience
I only had time to complete two sci-fis in the last two months, but they were both excellent books. I’m truly excited I finally know what’s happening now in the movie of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Please do this again next year, Carl!
The books I read:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
- Anthem by Ayn Rand
Popularity: 6% [?]
Thursday, February 28th, 2008BTT Heroine
Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?)
My answer:
Jane Eyre, of course. She endures persecution, stays true to her values, and still gets the guy in the end. What more could you ask for?
Popularity: 9% [?]
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008Anthem by Ayn Rand
Anthem is a great introduction to the philosophy of Ayn Rand. A dystopian novella, it is much less intimidating than The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged. I guess it’s considered science fiction as well, so I also counted it for Carl’s Sci-Fi Experience.
It was extremely fascinating reading this book after having read We by Yevgeny Zamyatin and The Giver by Lois Lowry last year, both of which were in my 2007 Top 10. Anthem definitely borrows from We, and The Giver most definitely borrows from Anthem. In Rand’s book, the main character even refers to himself as ‘We’ because in his society individuality is highly suppressed, and the goal is for it to be eliminated. Everything must be done for the brothers in the collective and nothing for the individual.
While I agree with Rand’s philosophy to a point, I believe she takes it just a bit too far. I very much enjoyed this book, but at the end it just felt too preachy to be rated the same as We and The Giver, which both received 4.5 stars.
1938, 105 pp
Rating: 
Popularity: 29% [?]
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008Sitting Practice
Sitting Practice by Caroline Adderson tells the story of Ross and Iliana, a newlywed couple, and how they deal with the aftermath of a car accident that leaves Iliana paralyzed. Ross is a film caterer who has had multiple ex-girlfriends, but he is absolutely in love with Iliana at the time of their marriage, much to the chagrin of his twin, Bonnie. Ross is also ‘in love’ with Bonnie’s son, Bryce, and very much longs to be a father. He and Bonnie of course share a bond that only twins can experience. In contrast, Iliana grew up in a very strict household, and Ross was her first real boyfriend. She meets Ross for the first time as a nurse assigned to him after a minor operation.
After the accident, the marriage changes, as do Ross and Iliana. Ross struggles with wanting ‘the real’ Iliana back, while Iliana struggles with desiring independence from others. They do adapt, but not without repercussions.
Themes of love, guilt, forgiveness, religion, and the bonds between twins form the novel. I felt for all the characters in the book as they wrestled with the surprises life brings. I truly cared for them. However, I don’t care for bad language and s*x in the books I read. It would have been just as good (or better) without those elements. On sale in the U.S. on March 11.
2003, 329 pp.
Rating: 
Popularity: 26% [?]
Monday, February 25th, 20082001: A Space Odyssey
Have you ever seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and wondered what the heck was going on? The book by Arthur C. Clarke explains everything. I’m so relieved! I feel so enlightened that I now know what’s happening in the movie. I had to watch it immediately online through Netflix after finishing the book. I love the book, and I love the movie even more now. If you think I’m going to give away the book’s secrets, you’re mistaken. You’ll have to read it and see for yourself. I will say that it has a bit in common with one of my former favorite tv shows, Stargate SG-1. That was surprising, and the only hint I’ll give.
1968, 236 pp.
Rating: 
This was one of only two books I was able to read for Carl’s Sci-Fi Experience. I really wanted to read more, but unexpectedly getting quite a few ARCs from LibraryThing and other sources thwarted my sci-fi plans. I do hope to read more sci-fi this year, and I definitely hope Carl hosts another Experience next year.
Popularity: 23% [?]
Thursday, February 21st, 2008BTT - Format
All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?
My answer:
My favorite format is the trade paperback. It’s light, portable, and most importantly, easier to pack and move if you relocate. When you have over 50 book boxes to move like I did, your movers (my husband and teenage son in my case) will thank you if most of them are paperbacks!
Popularity: 10% [?]
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008More Momoa
OK, I couldn’t resist posting these vids from youtube, and they’re very short. The first one is only 56 seconds, and the second one is only 36 seconds. I’m getting carried away today…
Popularity: 32% [?]
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008Those Dreadful Jasons!!!!!
I usually don’t post about my schoolgirl crushes, but I couldn’t resist in this case. I really liked Jason Castro last night on American Idol. He looks so cute with his dreadlocks, and he was sooooooo sweet! Another Jason I have a crush on is Jason Momoa from Stargate Atlantis. He came into the show during the second season and was a great addition (snicker). Gotta love those dreads!
Here’s a peek:
Jason Castro and Jason Momoa
Popularity: 10% [?]
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008Nerdy
| What Be Your Nerd Type?
Your Result: Literature Nerd
Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it’s eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today’s society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It’s okay. I understand. |
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| Science/Math Nerd |
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| Social Nerd |
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| Drama Nerd |
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| Musician |
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| Gamer/Computer Nerd |
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| Artistic Nerd |
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| Anime Nerd |
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| What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace |
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Popularity: 11% [?]
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008Non-fiction meme
Both Melody from Melody’s Reading Corner and Bellezza from Dolce Bellezza tagged me for this meme.
a) What issues/topic interests you most–non-fiction, i.e, cooking, knitting, stitching, there are infinite topics that has nothing to do with novels?
Christianity, history, computer programming, and science.
b) Would you like to review books concerning those?
Not really, though I did review a few last year. I much prefer fiction.
c) Would you like to be paid or do it as interest or hobby? Tell reasons for what ever you choose.
I’m not a good enough reviewer to be paid, but no, I wouldn’t be interested at this time of my life anyway. I have too many other commitments.
d) Would you recommend those to your friends and how?
Yes, with caution. Only if I know someone is interested in those topics.
e) If you have already done something like this, link it to your post.
My best non-fiction titles from last year were the following:
1. Wild Swans ****1/2 by Jung Chang (2007 #1 Best Non-Fiction)
2. The Bookseller of Kabul **** by Seierstad (2007 #2 Best Non-Fiction)
f) Please don’t forget to link to whoever tags you.
I linked to the two people who tagged me above.
If you haven’t done this meme yet and want to, consider yourself tagged!
Popularity: 13% [?]
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