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Definitely not for meArchive for May, 2008
« Previous Entries Saturday, May 31st, 2008Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I listened to part of this on an 11 hour road trip, and it was a great way to spend the time. I actually didn’t mind the length of the book, but I did mind the death in the end. It just didn’t seem right to me. I wasn’t ready for that character to leave the scene just yet. Another thing I didn’t care for was Sirius’ whinyness. It really started getting on my nerves. I envisioned him as a noble character, not an overly whiny one.
I’m writing this review after completing all seven books, and I think this is where the series started to break down for me. I didn’t mind that the story was getting darker, but the death at the end just seemed senseless.
2003, 896 pp.
Rating: 4
Popularity: 8% [?]
Monday, May 26th, 2008Review: Blessings
Blessings is the family home of Lydia Blessing, an 80-year-old woman with strong opinions about the right way to say and do things. Her new caretaker of Blessings, Skip, doesn’t seem to be making the grade in Lydia’s eyes. He’s keeping strange hours and doing his work at odd times. The reason? He’s taking care of a baby. Not his baby, but a little girl that a young couple abandoned at Blessings. Skip doesn’t have the first clue how to take care of an infant, but he manages after awhile and even keeps her a secret from everyone for a time. Then, Lydia finds out. Although shocked at first, Mrs. Blessing’s heart is warmed by the child as well. Will Skip get to keep Faith, the little girl that has won over everyone at Blessings, including Mrs. Blessing, or will the little girl’s mother return to claim her?
Blessings by Anna Quindlen is not just about Skip and Faith, but also about family secrets and relationships. There is an entire back story of Lydia Blessing that adds a lot to the novel as well. I listened to the audio CD narrated by Joan Allen, and she did an outstanding job.
2002, 226 pp.
Rating: 
Popularity: 53% [?]
Sunday, May 25th, 2008Sunday Salon (Graphic Novels)
I’d really like to thank Dewey for bringing attention to graphic novels. I’m really enjoying this genre after reading Maus I and Maus II, and I read three more this week: American Born Chinese, The Arrival, and The Invention of Hugo Cabret (probably technically not a graphic novel, but hard to categorize). I haven’t reviewed the latter three yet (though they’ll get high marks), but I’m impressed with all of the graphic novels I’ve read so far this year, and I definitely plan on reading more even past the challenge.
Have you discovered graphic novels yet? Do you have any you’d recommend?
Popularity: 26% [?]
Friday, May 23rd, 2008What kind of pie are you??
You Are Apple Pie |
 You’re the perfect combo of comforting and traditional.You prefer things the way you’ve always known them.You’ll admit that you’re old fashioned, and you don’t see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You’re loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you’ve definitely earned a lot of respect. |
Popularity: 28% [?]
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008Books vs. Movies
Suggested by: Superfastreader:
Books and films both tell stories, but what we want from a book can be different from what we want from a movie. Is this true for you? If so, what’s the difference between a book and a movie?
I like comparing books and the movies they’re based on. Usually I’m a little disappointed that they left something or other out of the movie, but I understand they can’t include everything. What I really don’t like is when they completely change an event or character from the original story. I really didn’t like how they changed Faramir’s character in Lord of the Rings, for instance. It was a small change, but I hated it because I always admired his character in the book. Occasionally the movie is better than the novel. I like books for the development of the characters, and movies for action and scenery.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008Yes!!!!!!!
So glad David Cook won. Click HERE to see the winner announced. Then watch him with ZZ Top.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Which cover do you prefer? I strongly prefer the UK version (the one on the left) as the US version doesn’t seem to fit the outcome of the story now, does it?
I really liked this one, especially Dobby. He’s such a great character — it’s a shame he had to be left out of the movie. I loved those parts!
Snuffles?
Next up is Order of the Phoenix. That one was my favorite movie, so I’m really looking forward to finding out all the details in the book.
Hugo Award, 2001
2000, 734 pp.
Rating: 
Popularity: 65% [?]
Monday, May 19th, 2008Book Awards II Challenge
10 months. 10 award winners.
The challenge for Book Awards II will be slightly different. First of all, it will last for 10 months instead of 12. Since we had over 100 participants last time, there wasn’t room for everyone on the blog site due to blogger’s limitation of only 100 contributors. Taking off those two months will allow me to clean up the site and set up the next challenge. On July 15th, I’ll be deleting the participants from the first challenge UNLESS you’ve signed up for the new challenge. Your reviews won’t be deleted, you just won’t be able to post at the blog site anymore. For the other differences, I’ve listed the rules below.
Rules:
- Read 10 award winners from August 1, 2008 through June 1, 2009.
- You must have at least FIVE different awards in your ten titles.
- Overlaps with other challenges are permitted.
- You don’t have to post your choices right away, and your list can change at any time.
- ‘Award winners’ is loosely defined; make the challenge fit your needs, keeping in mind Rule #2.
- SIGN UP at the blog post HERE.
- Have fun reading!
I’ll choose 10 from the following:
- American Pastoral by Philip Roth (Pulitzer)
- Hotel du Lac by Brookner (Booker)
- The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon (Nebula)
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (Hugo)
- The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle (Spur)
- Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (IMPAC Dublin)
- Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones (Commonwealth Writers’)
- The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney (Costa/Whitbread)
- Runaway by Alice Munro (Giller)
- The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro (Giller)
- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (Giller)
- Larry’s Party by Shields (Orange)
- Small Island by Levy (Orange)
- Bel Canto by Patchett (Orange)
Popularity: 31% [?]
Sunday, May 18th, 200850 States of Literature (Sunday Salon)
Melanie Jones of The Columbia Spectator is writing a weekly review on Thursdays called the 50 States of Literature. She is giving “a list of 50 books that we think capture the essence of each state, all while telling a great story along the way.” So far she’s written about books for twelve states (click on the title for her review):
- Alabama - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Alaska - The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord
- Arizona - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
- Colorado - Plainsong by Kent Haruf
- Georgia - Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
- Hawaii - Heads by Harry by Lois-ann Yamanaka
- Louisiana - Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
- Maryland - A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler
- Michigan - The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
- North Dakota - Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
- Vermont - The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- West Virginia Strange as This Weather Has Been by Ann Pancake
What do you think of her choices so far? Of those listed, I think To Kill a Mockingbird and Peace Like a River are perfect. I didn’t care at all for Plainsong, but I could have been biased because the setting of the book is in northeastern Colorado where I grew up. I liked a few aspects of the book, but overall was underwhelmed.
Is there a particular book you think embodies the essence of your state?
For more ideas for each state, another good resource is Bonnie’s Book around the States.
Popularity: 33% [?]
Saturday, May 17th, 2008Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Another Harry Potter crossed off the list! I enjoyed this on CD as I took a couple of trips last week. I had already listened to about 1/3 of it earlier in the year, but the trip was a perfect time to complete it.
As I’ve read/listened to all the Harry Potters so far, I’m really struck by J.K. Rowling’s naming ability. Quality Quidditch Supplies. The Marauder’s Map. The Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall. I love the names she gives things and people. I was really interested in the detail not in the movie about the Marauder’s Map and the Shrieking Shack. Of course, they can’t include everything, so it’s great to know the background of these aspects of the story.
I really love Jim Dale’s narration in the CD’s, but if I have one criticism, it’s this: He makes Hermione way too whiny. I don’t like how he portrays her at all. “Harreeeeeeeeeeeee” Ugh. Otherwise, he’s perfect.
I’m looking forward to the other books.
1999, 435 pp.
Rating: 4/5
Popularity: 63% [?]
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