Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Splendor in the Grass


A few months ago, Dad and I happened upon a screen biography of Natalie Wood. It was quite interesting, with lots of great clips from her films.

When the ones for Splendor in the Grass came on, I commented that I'd always thought it was a really great film. Dad said he'd never seen it. I frankly thought everyone my age had seen it when it came out in 1961, but apparently I was wrong!

So we got it on NetFlix and watched it Monday night. Dad agreed with me that it was a really great movie. I had seen it 2 or 3 times over the years - though it is 48 years old, it's as "current" as ever. I consider it a well-wrought film, and of course a young Warren Beatty adds to the charm!!

The title comes from lines in Wordsworth's Ode on Intimations of Immortality, and was originally a story by William Inge - who also wrote Picnic and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

I'd recommend it to you!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Friday Night at the Movies on Primrose


Well, I see that this is a very small shot of the poster for The Pacifier, but it will have to do.


I'm not sure who recommended this to me, but I got it on Netflix and then wondered if I'd be sorry. It may not be "great art," but it was certainly entertaining.

Not bad for a Friday night movie at home. And clean - no sex or profanity and the violence was pretty low key. (Seems oxymoronic to say that violence is low key. But it was more like the violence in the very old Batman movies from the '70s.)

Friday, November 20, 2009

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie



I just finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. It was a recommendation from a friend and I loved it! It is set in England and it is a mystery, so I guess there is not much of a surprise that I enjoyed it. Flavia de Luce is the almost eleven year old that is busy solving mysteries at the family's ancient country house. She quickly became a favorite literary character. And the best part is that there is a sequel. Can't wait to read it!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

At least it's worth AR points


This is a Newbery Honor Book - but I didn't find it all that great. For one thing, it moves ponderously - a death sentence as far as I'm concerned. There were long passages where legends were told - and I ended up skipping most of them.

The basic story had some merit, but the ending was precipitous - and not even very clear. There is a sequel, but I think I will skip it.

We use the Accelerated Reader program at our school - students read books, take quizzes and earn points. Mr. McClure and I decided we wanted to compete, so Mrs. Hoopes gave us user names and passwords, and the race is on.

Mr. McClure got a head start on me - but I plan to catch up - I have 30 points already and I just started Wednesday.

I'll keep you posted!!

Monday, November 9, 2009

An intriguing story


With all my holocaust reading, I had never come across the stories about Hitler's plans to decimate Czechoslovakia and send all the blonde, blue-eyed children to re-identification camps where they would be turned into good Germans!

This story, though fiction, is based on facts - and the facts are pretty amazing. Children taken from parents and literally turned into someone else - and then adopted by good German families - who vowed to raise them to help perpetuate the "master race."

It's a chilling concept. The story is for adolescents - it is written in a simple, straightforward way - but I enjoyed reading it. The story line alone was compelling; other aspects of the story were secondary.

Undoubtedly there are as many stories out there as there are individuals to tell them.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A quick read


I'm not really a fan of the supernatural, but this book caught my eye at our recent book fair at school. I picked it up, but it sat on my shelf for several weeks.

Last night I was tired, and didn't feel like doing much, so I laid down on the couch, elevated my legs, and read!!

It's a true "ghost story" and as such is sufficiently gripping to keep you reading. But I found it a bit hard to willingly "suspend disbelief!"

It will undoubtedly find fans in my classroom though!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Latest "good read!"


Every other year I do Diary of Anne Frank with my students. I can't do it every year because my classes are mixed grades, so I have to cycle through students before I can repeat. The group this year is not responding to the diary itself as well as the class did two years ago, so I have had to use a lot of supplemental materials.

They are interested in and fascinated by the Holocaust - I am always amazed at how they don't know anything about it - that fact alone disturbs me.

So I have been reading a number of other Holocaust stories, and this collection looks like a winner - as in the kids are relating to it. The book is a collection of 8 stories of real Jewish children who overcame some horrific odds to survive the brutality of Hitler. They are all Polish, and apparently they never spoke about their backgrounds until they were well into adulthood.

One woman had never spoken of it at all, but once the Civil Rights movement began, she felt she had to speak up, since the atrocities suffered by blacks reminded her of the conditions she thought she had left far behind in Poland. (Nearly all of them had emigrated to the U.S. after the war.)

Another aspect is the simplicity of the reading - the stories are told very directly, with little description - just bold facts. It works on many levels. It is very effective at grabbing the attention of my kids, the prose is easy for them to read, but it is not simplistic, just simple.

It was a quick read - and each chapter is a story in itself, so it is an easy book to put down. If you have a teenage reader who wants to find out information about the Holocaust, you could read this with them quite effectively.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday Night at the Movies on Primrose


A friend suggested this film - so I got it from NetFlix - about 3 weeks ago!! There has been no movie time it seems. We finally watched it last night.

It has an interesting story line - somewhat old and hackneyed - but it works. And the music was charming. The characters were well-drawn - and the humor was funny most of the time - it got a little "bawdy" at times, but it was a music hall in Paris in 1936 after all! (Be warned, the sub-titles are essential - Dad commented that the French was almost indecipherable!)

It made for some Friday night fun back in the old family room - you know, the room down the hall from the room formerly known as Noah's/Harry's room and next to the room formerly known as Bonny's/Phoebe's bedroom - and the popcorn is in the cupboard formerly known as the water heater closet in the room formerly known as the laundry room!

And there was a whole list of previews to scroll through - so now we have our NetFlix queue filled and waiting for next Friday night!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

So, should you make a book into a movie?


The reviews are mixed on this film. And I can see why.

There is some charm to it - especially when Max is on the shore with the wild things. They are pretty well done. But it does drag in places. And the main message seems to be that Max doesn't know how to behave - doesn't understand all the conflicting emotions he is experiencing. But what little kid does??

I have to agree with Kenneth Turan in the Times that, "In Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," less - 10 sentences, 37 pages, 338 words - became more: a much-loved children's book that's sold more than 19 million copies worldwide, 10 million in the U.S. In the new film version of Sendak's classic, more - admired director Spike Jonze, smart co-screenwriter Dave Eggers, top-flight actors including Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini and Forest Whitaker, and a budget estimated at $80 million to $100 million - has paradoxically become less: a precious, self-indulgent cinematic fable that not everyone is going to love."

He goes on to say that the film makes "explicit what was implicit," and I think that's where I think it falls apart. Sometimes it can be tedious to have everything spelled out.

But it's certainly not the worst film I've ever seen - and there were some highlights . So I don't want to spoil it in case you plan to go see it. (Hint: Look for the chicken arm.)

Eve and Porter stayed with it pretty well - but often asked "Why did he say that?" or "Why are you laughing Grandma?" Baby Harry had a harder time staying with it - but did a pretty good job of behaving well even when a little bored. They all appreciated the "knock, knock" joke sequence however!

So, I'm hoping they never try to make a film out of "Ask Mr. Bear," or "Outside Over There," or "Rain Makes Applesauce!!"


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

YA book covers


My friend Courtney directed me to this funny blog of bad YA book covers from the 80s. Sadly, the author seems to have run out of material but I think that she is giving up too easily.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

El Norte


Dad and I finally watched this. Eliza had recommended it. I'm not sure Dad liked it all that much, but I thought it was well-done. I liked the music, the scenery, the costumes, the native influence - Guatemala is a beautiful place - if indeed that is where they filmed part of it.

And the characters were well-drawn. It was sad - but then it was talking about a very sad situation - many immigrants do feel that they don't belong anywhere. If they felt like they belonged, they probably wouldn't leave!

There was some comic relief in the stereotypes portrayed - sometimes that part failed to deliver - but other times it was just the right touch - especially when Rosa couldn't figure out how to work the washer, so she scrubbed the clothes by hand and laid them out on the lawn of this mini-mansion to dry!!

And the scenes in the sewer as they crawled to "freedom" were wrenching and powerful I felt. It is indeed a good companion piece to La Misma Luna.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Jericho's Fall


I've read Emperor of Ocean Park and Civility, both by Stephen Carter. And I enjoyed them. The review I read of his new book was pretty enthusiastic, so I got it.

It was pretty good - but I wish I'd waited and checked it out of the library or something instead of buying it. Although I won't feel bad if I lend it out and lose track of it - which actually happened to the other two.

I think it's perfect airplane fiction - I should have saved it for our upcoming trip.

So now I will go finish My Life in France!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sisters


"It's not that their mother capriciously encouraged one and discouraged the other from following the same path. The order of their birth made going to college a different act for each of them. There is no equal protection clause in the family constitution. . . .

"You were born into the same family. But that's an illusion; it's a different family when each child is born. A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life. . . .

"If I wanted to be like my older sister, she wanted to be like . . . herself. We all seek to figure out and show the world who we are. Having a sister adds an extra image in the mirror. Understanding who you are means discovering who you are in relation to her. And to find your place in the world, you need to know how close to or far from your sister you want to stand.

"Closeness is the holy grail of sister relationships. I frequently heard, 'I wish we were closer,' but never, 'I wish we weren't so close.' "

I read this article today as I leafed through Sunday's Post and thought you might be interested, particularly if you read You're Wearing THAT? by Deborah Tannen that Mom sent around. (I am still reading it.)

Her latest book, coming out this week, is called You Were Always Mom's Favorite!: Sisters in Conversation throughout Their Lives.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Monday Night at the Movies


Dad and I seem to be in a rut - FHE keeps ending up being Monday Night at the Movies - although we do enjoy it!!

This one was lots of fun - I recommend it highly - and it's squeaky clean too - no sex, no profanity - maybe the high speed motorcycle chase was considered violent or something!!

And a school called Webster Elementary School figure prominently in the plot line!!

That might interest some members of the family.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Movie Night With Eve


Eve came for her Grandma's Birthday Sleepover and chose this movie for Friday night.

It wasn't bad - a little slow-moving though. And I'm glad I watched it as a rental - I might have felt bad if I'd paid $11 to see this!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Monday Night at the Movies


When I read the book about GWTW, there was a chapter on 1939 being a bountiful year for great movies. So I thought I'd get some of them from NetFlix, so that I could be au courant in the world of vintage films.

We watched it Monday night - the character in the film has glioma - the same tumor that felled Senator Ted Kennedy. Kind of ironic.

The film has, in addition to Bette Davis, a very young Humphrey Bogart playing an Irish horse trainer. And an equally young Ronald Reagan playing a drunken playboy!! Those characters alone made it worth watching!

I enjoyed it - it was a little cheesy - but then old movies usually are - I think that's what audiences demanded then. And Bette Davis is truly amazing to watch in action.

Next on the queue: El Norte.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Catching up

I have been reading so many books lately, which is why I haven't been posting them here. Just too busy!

I just finished What is the What by Dave Eggers, which is about the Lost Boys of Sudan. It's really amazing. Even though it's a true story (about Valentino Achak Deng) it is classified as a novel--Deng's reasoning is because when he was sending information to Eggers to write the book, he couldn't be 100% sure of conversations that happened when he was a young boy. Either way, it's really sad and funny. I stayed up late last night finishing it. Also interesting is how much criticism the book got because of Eggers' style of writing. I've read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (also by Eggers) and I didn't think that his writing style was too apparent in this one. Either way, the story is true, and very sad. Also--if you are planning on reading it and don't know anything about the Sudanese Civil War... you might want to read up on it. The book does a pretty good job of explaining it but I had to keep asking Robbie questions about it. And if you even try to comprehend Darfur in the mix... woof. It's just complicated.

Anyway. During the last week of Europe I read Love in the Time of Cholera, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Year of Magical Thinking, and Eat Pray Love. I should really expound on my feelings on all of the books but let me make it easy for you: LinToC left something to be desired (I really hated the protagonist!), TTTW was... ugh (I just can't imagine it being portrayed on-screen, yet I have this desire to see how it plays out), TYoMT was sad and good (I think it deals with a lot of the same issues that the two former books do [loss of love, real or imagined] but so much more maturely--probably because Didion is 1) older and 2) a real person), and EPL was okay. I liked it at first--compelling, funny, and engaging--but the author lost me when she started sharing too much information about her love life. I don't know. It was okay.

Anyway. Done with the blogging break. Off to apply for jobs at bookstores. (Not kidding.)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

A Baseball Story


I found this little gem many years ago while browsing the BYU Bookstore during some Education Week or Women's Conference.

The story is wonderfully imaginative. And when Noah played baseball with MYBL, I thought often of this character in the outfield. The bugs are great stand-ins for people we all know.

And his parents - clueless but loving and supportive.

Read and smile - and weep and laugh too!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Another Children's Fave


I was speaking with someone the other day - a mom and and a school teacher - and she didn't know about this book!

I was quite surprised. So I thought I would let anyone who didn't know about, know about it!!

The rhyming is wonderful - but what is even better is the way the lines build on one another - a device young children love - and so it's easy to memorize.

The New York Times Book Review said:

"This is a lovely small book, well-conceived and very well-drawn, gentle, humorous, unsentimental."

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kids' Books I Have Known and Loved


There are lots of wonderful books on the market for children. I first discovered this when I took a children's lit class at the U about 33 years ago. I learned about the wonderful world of Caldecott and Newbery winners. I reveled in the fact that it was a class requirement that I immerse myself in all these wonderful books!

I used to subscribe to the Horn Book magazine and diligently peruse all the best new books for children. When I worked at the nursery school, I was even more diligent. And the teachers there kept me up on the latest. While substitute teaching, I took to carrying around a totebag full of wonderful books and read them to the classes where teachers had not left sufficient lesson plans.

While pursuing my teaching credential, I was introduced to even more great books for kids and teens. When I began teaching full-time, I scanned the Scholastic handouts for new titles. I scoffed at Harry Potter when it first came out - thought it wasn't really literature. Shows just how wrong you can be sometimes!

But now I find myself pretty much sticking with the old faves, and I don't venture out too much. I don't think it is a function of age - I think I just can't do everything, and keeping track of kid lit was one of the items that got left by the wayside.

When Phoebe encouraged us to read the Newbery winners this summer, I was pulled back into the children's side of the library. While scanning the shelves for Newbery winners, I found a few "winners" of my own - and have posted them too.

Then Keli Clayton did a post about her girls squabbling, and I was reminded of a book about two girls who shared a room and had trouble getting along. It was a great little book - and I can't remember the title! But while unsuccessfully looking for it, I found myself stopping at every other book and thinking, "I love this book," "Why don't I read this to the grandkids?" "I need to tell everyone about this book."

So, here I am with my first recommendation - if you don't already have this one, try to locate it - you will be glad you did!

We first found this in the public library - probably in Bountiful, Utah. It's been a Terrill fave for years. The words have wonderful rhythm, the illustrations are delightfully "otherworldly," and it's lilting cadence lends itself to almost "singing along" with it.

Try it - you'll like it!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A pretty good movie


Dad and I went and saw Adam - a film with Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne. I have never heard of either of them, but they did a good job.

The LA Times had given the film a good review. When I looked it up online, the reviews were mixed. It apparently did well at Sundance though.

It's about a young man with Asperger Syndrome. And I think their portrayal of the condition - on the autism spectrum - was "spot on." I could just imagine several of my students in a few years being just like the character Adam.

It's worth a look-see as far as I'm concerned.


Latest "good read!"


I read about this book on cjane's blog - and it sounded like something I might enjoy - so I ordered it. The guy from the site later commented on her blog that "now he knew why he'd had 25 orders in the last hour!"

If you've read it - cjane said they were going to have a discussion on it, but said discussion has not occurred yet - I'd be interested in your take. It's not a typical "Mormon novel" by any stretch. But I wonder if a non-Mormon would read it and find it enjoyable.

Basic premise is about a young "hippie" in Colorado who comes in contact with the church via a young woman named Annie.

Let me know - if you haven't read it, I think you'd find it a "good read."

Monday, July 27, 2009

Don't bother!!


Dad and I were disappointed in a major way with this film.

The best thing about it was the trailer - which whetted our appetite for nothing.

I'd never even heard of it, but it's from 2008, so it's not very old.

Just a little too cheesy, and as one reviewer said, full of "Hallmark Hall of Fame-isms!"

I won't bore you with the plot!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Checking off the Newbery books!


Just finished Kira-Kira - I'm trying to finish the newest 20 - and quite enjoyed it.

I enjoy reading about other cultures in other times - in this case, a Japanese family in Georgia in the 1950's - and the character development is the story's strong suit.

The author does "wrap things up" a bit quickly at the end - a little too tidy to seem real - but the story is mostly well-done and is a good read.


Saturday, July 18, 2009

Another Newbery winner to check off -


I have noted before that I thought I'd start at the front end of the Newbery list - since the ones at the end seem to drag a bit.

The is the 2002 winner - and it was a great read. It's about 12th century Korea and pottery making - and I've always loved learning my history from novels!! This story did not disappoint - I recommend it.

And I'm off to the library for reinforcements!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Don't "criss cross" this off your list!


I was noticing as I went through the Newbery list that I have read most of the new ones - after the 70's, my numbers go down. But I hadn't read the newest ones - except for The Higher Power of Lucky - which was wonderful - so I thought I'd be sure to have read the last 10 anyway.
For this reason I picked up Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. This is a first novel - and all the more impressive for that. What a delightful read -you may want to do it in one setting - it has a "stream of consciousness" feel to it - but the characters are well-drawn, the emotions are real, the story line comes together remarkably well, and you kind of hate to see it end - all good qualities in a book, to my way of thinking.

It's a kind of coming of age story that takes place in the 70's - I'm not sure where, but it's not California - they make a point of emphasizing that fact. The name of the town is Seldem - don't you love an author who plays with words like that?? There are some quirky drawings that add to the story, almost effortlessly.

On the back cover, there is this quote from the story, "She was thinking that the grass really could be greener on the other side of the fence. It depended on who was standing in the grass. Maybe you had to go take a look."

My favorite lines were in the chapter where Hector starts taking guitar lessons from the local minister: "Maybe there had been a time, a moment, when he had made the choice between being a rock star and a Presbyterian miniser. He had that funny voice, but he seemed to enjoy performing. He threw his head back and scrunched his eyes shut and emoted. He did as much as could be done with that voice. The abandoned rock star option had not quite given up. It had not completely faded away."

If you read no other Newbery book this summer, read this one!! You'll be glad you did!

Finally!

I finally finished You're Wearing That? after going through a chapter at a time. I usually read it when we were traveling so it was in small segments.

Overall, I liked it. Maybe I should get into more detail when I have the time, but I thought that it was interesting that Mom recommended it to all of us because I don't think that I have as strained a relationship with either of my parents as the subjects in the book seem to! (Unless maybe there's something you're not telling us, Mom?? ;) It did give me a lot of insight on my sisterly relations, too, which was interesting, maybe because I feel like I have been mothered by all of my sisters at one time or another. And then there is the angle of adding my female in-laws into the mix and seeing how we all interact with each other. I thought it was interesting.

Anyway, Eliza gets it next! In a month!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New on the shelf at the New and Improved Monrovia Library!!



I finished And Now Miguel - which was good but dragged a bit - the pace could have been snappier - and went to get another Newbery winner and was distracted by this book on the "new books" display.

It's about a boy who's learning disabled - can't read - but no one knows about it -I may read it to my students at the beginning of the year. There' s another book, My Name is Brain (crossed out) Brian, with a similar theme and I read it to my students at the beginning of the year one year, and they enjoyed feeling like their own story was not so unheard of.

Last year I started with a novel about bullying - I like to address a theme each year at the beginning - allows for some good discussion.

This book wasn't totally believable - but enough believable to be enjoyable.

So now I'm back to the Newbery books - Criss-Cross to be exact.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Summer Reading


(I always think a post needs a photo - if Grandma and I had really been on a voyage on the Queen Mary in 1971, we would have been on the deck reading - I'm sure!)


It seems to be a slow summer - reading-wise anyway. I gave up on Adam Bede - after I saw the BBC production and realized how true to the book it was - couldn't bring myself to keep plowing through the extensive prose that is the hallmark of much Victorian writing! (The BBC production was excellent, btw!)

But I did delve into Middlemarch - and it is not such slow reading - but it's easy to put down too - or fall asleep over! But I plan to finish it - it's not a library copy, so I can take all summer.

On the Newbery front, I'm readng And Now Miguel - and it is pretty good. I like the way it sounds - a Hispanic boy in turn of the century New Mexico - he has really caught the flavor.

So that's where I stand now - maybe I read so much this last spring, that I am "read out" or something.

But I do have several Hornblower converts under my belt!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Moving down the list -


That would be the Newbery list - I was struggling with The Dark Frigate - and thought I'd get a jump start with some lighter fare - this is perfect for such an occasion!!

If you have not read it, do. I never saw the movie - so don't know how they compare. But the story is delightful - and beautifully written.

So now I've read 48 of the 87 - of course, if I had to write book reports on 47 of the ones I've read, I'd be hard put to give more than a skeleton overview.

I will give The Dark Frigate another chance!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

An early summer read - just finished!


I read of review of this book in the LA Times. I was intrigued - being a die-hard GWTW fan of some renown. I ordered it and was initially a bit disappointed.

Upon finishing it however, I decided that I had enjoyed reflecting on the social implications of GWTW, book and movie.

And it was quite interesting to read the commentary on other films of the same era - I have added a few they mentioned to my NetFlix queue.

Don't buy it, but get it at the library - or borrow my copy!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

More book recommendations!

Here is another book recommendation site: this one is automated. Kind of cool!

Check it out here.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Recommended summer reading

For those of you who want a supplement to your Newbery (with one "r"!) books, my friend just posted a list of recommended summer reads that she heard on Morning Edition. Check it out here!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Reading, reading

In spite of the end of the Hornblower series, I have been keeping myself busy. I read a not-very-good A Reliable Wife - it had rave reviews, but I don't recommend it. Kind of trashy and very "dark" - I really did a skim job on it just to figure out "who dunnit!"

Now I'm enjoying The African Queen - by C.S. Forester - as good as the film.

At the same time, I'm reading The Biography of Horatio Hornblower - by somebody Parkinson - it's an "official" biography of a fictional character - and pretty good reading. An interesting construct.

I'm getting ready to attack the Newberry list!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Let's get this party started!

So if you are in for "Phoebe's Summer Book Club" (prizes to follow-I swear!) I am starting this week with Newberry Medal winner #1.

1922-The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon

I am curious to read this book since I know absolutely nothing about it. Should be fun!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Summer Reading Club Challenge

I am officially inviting all of you to join my Summer Reading club. I think I will call it Phoebe's Summer Reading Club-that is, until I come up with a catchier name.
The goal for Summer 2009 is lofty, but I think I will be able to reach it. I am going to read all of the Newberry Medal books in chronological order. I am excited for this adventure for many reasons. First, I am looking for new reading material to introduce to Henry- he definitely inherited the Terrill Reading Gene. I am always at a loss for new books for him. Second, I was surprised at how many book son the list I hadn't even heard of, I thought I had read most of them. Third, I think it will be interesting to compare all of the books over the years. I will be looking for trends, quality, genre, etc. Anyway, I am getting ready to roll on this one.
Are you game? I'll try to post regularly to this blog and Goodreads to keep you all updated on my progress. I am sure you will be waiting anxiously for my reports.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Almost French


I just finished this work of boringness. Has anyone else read it? Sarah Turnbull is an Aussie expat living in France with her French husband. I guess I should have known that it would be a letdown, since that topic isn't really all that innovative to begin with--she just happened to write about it. She's got about as much sentence variety as Stephenie Meyer and she lives quite the glamorous life compared to most transplanted people (she name drops like CRAZY ["my interview with Kristin Scott Thomas," "my interview with John Galliano," etc.]; it gets really old after a while).

On the upside, it was nice that I could identify with some things, like how it's really hard to find a good restaurant in Paris, even though it's a city renowned for its cuisine. And... that you get addicted to the idea of owning a dog after you live here. And that it's a hard city to drive in? Come on, Sarah!

Overall, I wouldn't recommend it. You can just interview me after I get home and get the same idea.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Racing right along!


I've just finished the next one - and they are actually getting better and better. I'm going to be sorry to have them end!!

I truly wonder why I never read these - they must not have been in the Los Angeles County Bookmobile!!

I continue to recommend them to one and all!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Moving right along with the Hornblower saga!


I was too impatient to wait for the next book to come from Amazon.com, so I went and visited the new Monrovia Library - which is really lovely by the way - and checked it out instead.

Although this one is number 4 chronologically, it was the last book Forrester wrote. He wrote it to fill a void in the years covered in the saga. However, he didn't finish it. His notes for finishing it are included - and I will say that it's a shame he didn't get to finish - it was getting pretty exciting - he was going to be a spy!!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

3 down, 8 to go!!


I seem to be racing through these - but I don't have the others - I may finally go visit the new Monrovia Library and get the next one!!

They are pretty compelling reading. Forrester also wrote The African Queen, a fave film of mine - maybe I will read it too! The author is a great story teller - I can't figure out half the technical jargon, but that doesn't take away from my enjoyment.

Another book I ordered came yesterday - Frankly My Dear by Molly Haskell about GWTW of course. It is interesting, but not compelling - which is what I need for my "icing the knees" reading!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

2 down, 9 to go!!


I am loving Horatio Hornblower in print, as well as on DVD. I suspect that having seen the DVD's first, I can tell what's going on - the seafaring lingo is like a foreign tongue.

But the stories are more than just action - there's a lot of inner workings of the characters that makes for compelling reading.

And I dearly love a good series, don't you??

Monday, May 18, 2009

One down, 10 to go!!


Now that I've started the Hornblower novels, I'm going to have plenty to read for a long time I suspect!!

It definitely helps that I've seen the movies - I'm not sure I would understand all the naval and seafaring talk.

They are a good read!!

I'm on the second one now - Lieutenant Hornblower. They are somewhat true to the movies - changes are minor, however. What I'm enjoying the most is the insights into the characters - the films did a good job of "fleshing out" the different ones, but it's nice to make the judgments yourself.

Stay tuned - and watch the DVD's if you haven't already!!

"Aye, aye sir" the fans said in chorus!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The end of the road -


So, I have apparently finished the Maisie Dobbs series - hopefully there will be more forthcoming, because I really enjoy reading them - the perfect escape literature.

I recommend them - Phoebe had thought the last one was "weaker" but I enjoyed it as much as the others. I want her to hurry up and fall in love though - with Detective Stratton!!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Just finished . . .


Felt like I had to finish this before I read my newest Maisie Dobbs novel - and Dad gave me the first two Horatio Hornblower novels, so I have those to look forward to also.

This book has Hester's name in it - but it wasn't a fave or anything - the writing is uneven. The story is compelling, but I didn't feel that things were resolved either.

On to more of Maisie!!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

My new fave!!


Perhaps some of you remember when I noted that the first motion picture that I have a memory of seeing was Captain Horatio Hornblower - I wonder how it would look to me now? Maybe I will NetFlix it to see. I remember thinking it was very bloody and exciting. Of course, with Gregory Peck, I'm sure I thought it was romantic too! I do wonder if my folks knew what movie we were going to see? (After our chores were done each Saturday, we hauled off to the Panorama Theater to see the double feature and to have Root Beer Barrels or Bon Bons for our treat. I guess I had finally come of age and could go too! Or maybe I don't remember the others!)

So when Leslie suggested that we would love the A&E version of Hornblower, we gave it a look/see.


Let's just say Dad and I devoured 8 episodes in 5 nights of viewing - and loved every minute of it!


And I am so a fan of Ioan Gruffudd - wonder why he hasn't hit the big time heartthrob-wise?

Maybe I will just have to watch them over and over again - a la GWTW!!

I highly recommend the series!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

5 down, one to go!


I think I will be going back to work next week - I see the doctor tomorrow, but I am feeling much more like my old self.

And besides, I only have one more Maisie Dobbs book to go before I'm done with the series - until the author writes another one - which I hope she does soon!! These actually get better with each one!!

This one was quite good - a nice mix of mystery, sorrow, Gypsy lore and wartime reflections - Jacqueline Winspear does know how to spin a tale!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Digging around in the old stuff -


My latest Maisie Dobbs had not arrived, so I picked this one out - even though I have studied Hemingway extensively - at least in years past - I had never read this one.

If you clicked on this to make it larger, you would note how very old it is - as in the price was $1.65!! (And that was new!)

It was your dad's copy for a class at the U I think. Anyway, the Maisie Dobbs books take place after WW I and focus a lot on the issues of that war and how it impacted so much of history. So this was another take - the war in Italy - told from an American point of view.

It is vintage Hemingway - and so some of the staccato dialogue got tedious at times.

But it's a good story - a sad one too - but instructive with the use of imagery and symbolism.

I'm thinking I will add both movie versions (1939 and 1961) to my NetFlix queue.

I'll let you know what I think.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

"Another one bites the dust!"


So, I am tearing through the Maisie Dobbs books - gotta say they are the truly quintessential escape reading for invalids!

I have two more to go - maybe I should save them - or not!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Tired of books?

I'm actually a little tired of reading. Maybe I just need the right book. I'm plowing through The Eyre Affair but it's just not grabbing me - and some people I trust have recommended it to me, so I may keep plugging.

Instead I've been watching movies - saw The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - disturbing but profound. I would be interested in other reactions. One girl told me she was very "disturbed" by the ending. Another said she was almost feeling "hysterical."

It is thought provoking.

Last night I watched The Duchess. It's based on a true story - a rather intriguing true story I might add - despite changing a lot of details - that ultimately don't seem that essential - I thought the movie seemed true to the facts I read online anyway. I don't know if I'd like the novel they based it on - sometimes I find historical fiction difficult to plow through - but the movie was thought-provoking and well done.

It was a nice diversion!!


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

More books read


I am really into the Maisie Dobbs books - they are just the right amount of description, mystery, character development, historical background and written well enough to keep my attention.

And they aren't very long either!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Another book to check off the list!

Leslie sent me the Horatio Hornblower series on DVD, so I may give up reading for a few days - although a new Maisie Dobbs books just came in the mail - but I did finish Revolutionary Road - and it was sad and tragic and very well written.

Seems like everything is reminiscent of some previous writer - this has the makings of a modern Dreiser or Edith Wharton.

It takes place in the 50's after WW II - and I was struck by the portrayal of suburbia. I grew up when Granada Hills was quite rural - then "tract houses" came to town. And they were a novelty - I thought them quite sleek and modern - and I went baby sitting for families who lived in them. And much of what he says in the story about life in suburbia rings true with my memories. I have had this thought about other novels and short stories I have read.

So pay attention to social changes now - in 40+ years you may read a novel exploring their origins and effects. And won't you feel slick saying, "I knew that!"

Monday, April 20, 2009

I should be keeping a count I guess -

I woke up about 2:30 this a.m. and could not get back to sleep. The pain meds are worthless - they do nothing. Advil helps, so I took some. Ice packs work too - but I'd fallen asleep with them and they were no longer icy.

So I hobbled out to the living room and thought I'd read until I fell asleep - the couch is actually a good place to sleep, since there is something for me to lean against - I'm a side sleeper and I can't do the side thing with these bulky dressings in a regular bed. (That may be a misplaced modifier?)

I was about 3/4 of the way through the book - and it turned out to have a gripping ending - so I stayed awake until I finished!! And then slept till 9:30 or so. But I'm still feeling groggy - I think a nap will soon be in order.

These Maisie Dobbs books are a good fast read - and pretty intense. I'm usually not a mystery fan at all - but the setting for these is England after WW I - and the inherently interesting historical details make them compelling for me to read.

Guess I will have to get another one - this is #2 for me - I think there are 6 or 8 of them.

And there will undoubtedly be other sleepless nights ahead! (If not, there are afternoons ahead for reading too!)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Another book down -


I am ready to say that I am a little bit tired of reading!! Never thought I'd say that! I need to mix it up with some movies - but Dad keeps stalling a trip to Blockbuster for the movies I want. This is when it would be handy to have Netflix, yes??

But I had started this before my surgery and wanted to see how it ended badly enough to "read through the pain" as they say. (And the pain has greatly diminished too.)

This, it turns out, is a kind of Holocaust novel too - but from a very different perspective - that of a family of Jews - who will not acknowledge their Jewishness after they immigrate to the U.S. in 1936. The ending is very surprising - and a lot of tension is maintained through the middle of the book. There is some difficulty towards the end - the story seems to drift and swirl before moving forward once more.

But it's a good read. I have not read her other books - just an occasional short story - but I may check out her biography of Marilyn Monroe - called Blonde, of course!

Now I'm going to go back to the couch - 5 minutes upright is about all I can handle at the moment.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Revolutionary Road


Goodness. I don't even know where to start. Richard Yates said, "If my work has a theme, I suspect it is a simple one: that most human beings are inescapably alone, and therein lies their tragedy." I have a hard time relating to those kinds of themes, for obvious reasons (the gospel, a happy and fulfilling marriage, my family, etc.), but it was an interesting book. The American Studies classes I enjoyed most were my 50s and 60s classes, so I got to think back on things like the paint by numbers craze and the emergence of suburbia in order to better understand the book.

One thing that I was trying to wrap my mind around was why Sam Mendes decided to adapt the book into a movie this past year, almost 50 years after the book was published. (I haven't seen the movie, but it sounds like a pretty accurate adaptation.) I definitely believe that media is a mirror of our times; I probably just need more time to think on it. I would be interested to hear your thoughts if any of you decide to read it, and hope that you have that question in mind.

Like I said, I guess I have gospel goggles on, because I don't feel trapped in my marriage, and Robbie has never tried to suppress my hopes and dreams. It was a really difficult task to try and sympathize with the protagonists because they were both just sickeningly selfish, yet I was still quite shaken by the time I finished the book. Simultaneously shaken and relieved, strangely enough.

I'd recommend it. It seemed a bit daunting and slow-moving at first, but I plowed through it in a couple of days. Really compelling.

Ed. note: I just read Kenneth Turan's review, and he says that "the core of this film finally cries out to us today, makes us see that the notion of characters struggling with life, with the despair of betraying their best selves because of what society will or won't allow, is as gripping and relevant now as it ever was. Or ever will be." Interesting.

Friday, April 10, 2009

The Latest Read

We had a give and take table at one of our book group nights, and I picked up this one.

The author won the Pulitzer Prize - but I'd never heard of him. But it was a pretty good read - very Faulknerish so it took some concentration. It was a very different construct - about blacks who owned slaves before the Civil War - takes place in Virginia - Manchester County.

Apparently it was not a very common practice - but it did exist.

The stack is getting smaller - but it's still got plenty of reading material in it!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A new treasure


Bonny introduced me to the first Penderwicks books - they are like a modern-day Betsy-Tacy story about a family of 4 girls.

This is the second one - and hopefully many more will come. It's obviously light weight reading, but it has its charm - a father who scolds them in Latin, a sister who wields a wicked pen, and lots of neighbor boys to keep life interesting.

It was a lovely diversion!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Running out of reading material -


I will need to get the rest of the books in this series that Phoebe recommended - because I really enjoyed this first one.

Just the right amount of mystery and history -and a dash of Upstairs, Downstairs thrown in for good measure - made for a good read.

Airplane, doctor's waiting room or the living room couch!