Summer books 2010

I'm never going to get around to reading ANYTHING this summer, let's be honest, but NPR has a nice comprehensive list of recommended summer reads here.

Babies - the movie version anyway!!

Dad and I went to see Babies last week. I had seen the previews several months ago and was intrigued. Then I read the reviews - which were pretty intriguing also.

So we went!

A good choice too - although the showing we went to was also the showing that a Family Living class from MHS was attending!! I was thinking that they would be pretty awful. But they were only mildly annoying. They mostly all had their phones on so there were all these little lit up screens all over the theater.

And of course there was a lot of running commentary. I love how they said, when one of the babies was obviously sitting there having a bowel movement, "Oh look, she's going to the restroom!!"

It's a movie worth seeing. Apparently a current U.S. fad now is for moms and babies to get together and watch it.

I think I'd rather see it with an adult though!!

At the Terrill Backroom Cinema!!

Dad and I had a film from NetFlix arrive in November - and we never ended up watching it!! I finally just sent it back last week - and the film that had been number 2 on our queue was Roll Bounce - I can't remember who recommended it or why - but we watched it. And it wasn't great art, but it was entertaining. All my students knew about it - and seemed amazed that I'd seen it!

And then after the afternoon session of conference today, we just kind of stayed there on the couch and got "hooked" on One Good Man. Once again not great art, but it did have its moments. And we could relate.

The guy who played the stake president was named Kevin Westenskow - and he looks exactly like a friend of ours whose last name is Westenskow - so we're thinking they are related.

See, Mormons can always find a connection!

This is the fittest you will ever see me!!

We just finished a 12 week "Wellness Challenge" at the district. To qualify, you just had to keep track of the servings of fruits and vegetables you ate - and the number of 10 minutes increments of exercise you accomplished.

Unfortunately, there were no penalties for consuming chocolate! So, even though I consumed lots of fruits and veggies - and engaged in a modicum of exercise - that mostly consisted of walking to and from school - I can't say that I'm any smaller.

Apparently the "magazine cover" is our reward!!

So I'm posting it in honor of Hannah and Robbie - who are running a real race today - and who probably ate right and exercised for more than 12 weeks!!

I am slightly motivated to really get smaller.

I'll let you know how it goes!!

Sargent's Daughters by Erica Hirschler

My book group chose this book - called the "biography of a painting" by many reviewers and critics. It's a "true" story - one with many details missing. Sometimes all the "artistic" details become tedious - unless you are an art scholar - but mostly they are interesting.

And the story of the lives of the young girls in the painting, their parents, John Sargent, Henry James and others whetted my appetite for more - so now I'm reading a biography of Edith Wharton!!

It has long resided in the Museum of Art in Boston - drat, we are not going this year - but it's on my list for 2011!

Newest read

This book has been recommended to me by a large and disparate group of friends, family, acquaintances. And it's the pick for next month's book group discussion - which will be at my house.

It's not great literature - but it is a good read. It belongs to that ever-growing body of "Southern women regional writers" that I am wont to bring up from time to time.

I have often said that if I ever went back to finish my master's degree, my thesis would be about this particular category of female authors. I often wonder why there isn't a category for "Southern California women regional writers!"

I wonder how many men would enjoy it. Is it truly just for women talking to other women? Somehow these women know how to capture our interest. The stories are somewhat removed from my own personal experience, but I can still relate. This one does deal with the 60's and all that entailed, but actually in a somewhat superficial way. But the superficiality isn't a stumbling block.

It's certainly a popular book. And as I said before, a good read.

And sometimes that's all I want from a book!

A must read!

Talk about random!! I was in Vroman's months ago looking for something that they ended up not having. But the clerk had been so helpful, I felt like I should buy something. There was a display near the Customer Service counter, and this book was on it. The cover was intriguing. And I had seen the title a few times. So I bought it.

I took it and another book to my book group that night. We were trying to decide what to read next - and so we picked it. Pretty random. (the clerk had told me it was an adolescent novel - which it certainly is not - so we all thought it would be a "quick read." Wrong again!)

Although it was certainly not a "quick read," it was indeed a worthwhile read! Check it out - or buy it - or borrow it from me. I actually have two copies, and Bonny has one of them. And then let me know what you think.

Be prepared for some very advanced vocabulary - you could stop and look them all up if you are consumed with curiosity. But you can easily divine meaning from context. Also, lots of references to Russian literature, classical music, film - foreign and American, and philosophers.

But it still works. Don't give up - it starts ever so slowly - but when you finish, you will realize why it had to start that way. A few fave quotes to pique your interest:

"What charms me about the whole business is that he stubbornly insists on remaining a dog, whereas his mistress would like to make a gentleman of him."

". . .particularly when you think that such a destiny should surely have doomed her to the eternal worship of Barbara Cartland."

"For years my inevitable conclusion has been that the films of the seventh art are beautiful, powerful and soporific, and that blockbuster movies are pointless, very moving, and immensly satisfying."

"When illness enters a home, not only does it take hold of a body; it also weaves a dark web between hearts, a web where hope is trapped."

"When something is bothering me, I seek refuge. No need to travel far; a trip to the realm of literary memory will suffice."

And my favorite, and you will love Manuela:

"If you have but one friend, be sure you choose her well." (Manuela is Renee's friend.)

The amazing thing is that what makes this book great is the writing - the words chosen - and it's a translation from the French!!

A Sleeper

I am in an AR Points competition with Kyle McClure at Clifton - and he's inching closer to me - I am in the lead at the moment - so I had to ratchet up the adolescent lit reading. Actually, I haven't done much reading at all for several weeks - too much else going on - and when I snuggle up with a book at night, it's pretty much snoozeville for me!

I can't even remember when or how I got this. I think it was a bonus from a book fair last fall. I was at home and needed something worth a lot of points - so I picked it up. The cover never appealed to me - but, Surprise!! what a great little novel!!

I'm not sure if it's in England or the U.S. It is modern - but not overly so - little reference to technology other than a reference to a microwave - nothing to tie it to a time or place - although there is a blizzard.

But a very compelling story! I'm not even sure how to describe it other than to say that you feel like cheering at the end. It's a Newbery Honor Book - give it a read through - I think you'll be glad you did.