Both of these titles have had a ton of press. If I Stay by Gail Forman was optioned for film before it was even on library shelves and My Abandonment is a very literary ripped from the headlines about a father and daughter duo who live in the woods. But creepier than I just made it sound.
Anyway, If I Stay was good except I found the plot very predictable. But the characters made it special. The main character is a cellist so that was a nice surprise. I love reading books where the cellist is not a huge dork but a fully fleshed out person. The parents were great too.
My Abandonment was too literary for me I'm afraid. It was a very interesting concept, however.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
books with buzz
I just got done with 2 different books that have been getting a lot of buzz lately.
One is "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan. This is a post-apocalyptic YA zombie story with a tragic romance thrown in. Sometimes I read a first novel that is so good it makes me hate the author because, you know, why didn't I write that? It's that good. It has a unique vision since it deals not with the immediate effects of a zombie attack, but with what happens to the survivors after a couple of generations. Really great novel.
The second is "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick. Everyone is talking about this book so I thought maybe I could read it for a program I do at the library where I give adult book talks. Um, no. This is basically a study in sexual repression and sexual obsession. It is suspenseful and definitely intriguing, but hard to read at times. And there is no way in hell I am going to talk about it to little old ladies at the library. In 1909, a woman answers an ad in a newspaper and travels to Wisconsin to marry a wealthy and lonely businessman. She has a plan for this marriage, one that is somehow both complex and simple and only revealed in bits and pieces. The businessman has a plan, too. I really hate to give away too much because it was masterfully written.
Of the two, of course I liked the YA better. But as far as adult, "literary" novels go, the Goolrick was certainly worth my while.
One is "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan. This is a post-apocalyptic YA zombie story with a tragic romance thrown in. Sometimes I read a first novel that is so good it makes me hate the author because, you know, why didn't I write that? It's that good. It has a unique vision since it deals not with the immediate effects of a zombie attack, but with what happens to the survivors after a couple of generations. Really great novel.
The second is "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick. Everyone is talking about this book so I thought maybe I could read it for a program I do at the library where I give adult book talks. Um, no. This is basically a study in sexual repression and sexual obsession. It is suspenseful and definitely intriguing, but hard to read at times. And there is no way in hell I am going to talk about it to little old ladies at the library. In 1909, a woman answers an ad in a newspaper and travels to Wisconsin to marry a wealthy and lonely businessman. She has a plan for this marriage, one that is somehow both complex and simple and only revealed in bits and pieces. The businessman has a plan, too. I really hate to give away too much because it was masterfully written.
Of the two, of course I liked the YA better. But as far as adult, "literary" novels go, the Goolrick was certainly worth my while.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
beaten over the head with a tuna can
I watched Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday night, and ever since then I've wanted to punch something in the face due to the Chicken of the Sea jungle I have stuck in my head. I've gotta say, Annie Duke can certainly craft a lyric. If I ate fish, I would probably be out buying giant flats of this tuna at Costco right now.
I realize that this is part of the genius of the Apprentice. Not only is it a TV show, but it's also a 2 hour long marketing campaign for whatever brand ponies up the cash. I wonder what kind of a bump this company got from having Joan Rivers make clucking and splashing noises. Although with Joan Rivers I would assume that more people simply covered their eyes in terror as they promised they would never ever get plastic surgery. I mean, remember when Joan Rivers looked like a person? Now she looks like what would happen if the Joker and a cat had a baby and then the baby got old and had several face lifts.
Probably I should save my TV watching time for something more educational or at least something not directly created by Satan. But then I would have missed Jesse James looking perplexed and a Playboy Playmate trying to convince America that she's super duper smart. That's comedy, people.
I realize that this is part of the genius of the Apprentice. Not only is it a TV show, but it's also a 2 hour long marketing campaign for whatever brand ponies up the cash. I wonder what kind of a bump this company got from having Joan Rivers make clucking and splashing noises. Although with Joan Rivers I would assume that more people simply covered their eyes in terror as they promised they would never ever get plastic surgery. I mean, remember when Joan Rivers looked like a person? Now she looks like what would happen if the Joker and a cat had a baby and then the baby got old and had several face lifts.
Probably I should save my TV watching time for something more educational or at least something not directly created by Satan. But then I would have missed Jesse James looking perplexed and a Playboy Playmate trying to convince America that she's super duper smart. That's comedy, people.
Monday, May 04, 2009
lately
I haven't been writing lately. My life just sort of sped up and I got out of practice and after a few weeks, it just got worse until I was like "why would I ever write again?" But I have read a lot of books in the last few months, and knitted some things. I mostly have stopped eating at restaurants other than super cheap places because of cash flow issues, stupid economy.
Here is a picture of the knitting I've been working on recently:
It's lace. I don't do a lot of lace, mostly because it takes concentration and I tend to knit while talking or watching TV. But a few months ago I took a lace class with Annie Modesitt and decided it was time to use what she taught me. She was funny and a great teacher and really helped me a lot. So I decided to make a shawl. It's going pretty well, although sometimes I'll discover that I made a mistake and I'm way too lazy to rip back so I just, like, decrease a stitch somewhere to get the right number on the needles again.
Knitting is good therapy for overcoming my crippling perfectionism. This shawl is going to be good enough. It will be pretty and cozy even if it has a few errors. The world will not end if there is a mistake. I will not need to throw it in the trash. It's an exercise in being happy with my skills even when I am imperfect.
So that's what's been going on lately.
Here is a picture of the knitting I've been working on recently:
It's lace. I don't do a lot of lace, mostly because it takes concentration and I tend to knit while talking or watching TV. But a few months ago I took a lace class with Annie Modesitt and decided it was time to use what she taught me. She was funny and a great teacher and really helped me a lot. So I decided to make a shawl. It's going pretty well, although sometimes I'll discover that I made a mistake and I'm way too lazy to rip back so I just, like, decrease a stitch somewhere to get the right number on the needles again.
Knitting is good therapy for overcoming my crippling perfectionism. This shawl is going to be good enough. It will be pretty and cozy even if it has a few errors. The world will not end if there is a mistake. I will not need to throw it in the trash. It's an exercise in being happy with my skills even when I am imperfect.
So that's what's been going on lately.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
tired of the lies
I'm so glad that this campaign is almost over. The constant barrage of lies that we have been forced to listen to are enough to make me physically ill. I'm mostly tired of hearing people like Sarah Palin slander a United States Senator over and over again, and make the country terrified that Democrats are dangerous. Dangerous! The party of John F. Kennedy is a danger! We're going to eat your babies! What the hell? When did it get to this point, that I actually believe that Republicans are evil monsters who want to cut down all the forests and kill all the polar bears and throw the Democrats in Gitmo and they think I'm a dangerous, mornonic terrorist-in-training who hates America and worships Satan?
I am NOT DANGEROUS. I AM NOT A TERRORIST FOR DISAGREEING WITH YOU ABOUT GOVERNMENT POLICIES. I have hope for the future. I want breathable air and drinkable water and biodiversity and solar power. I want birth control. I want people to be able to live without fear that their health insurance will be canceled the minute they get cancer. I love weddings and think that if two people care about each other enough to have one, they should get to have one--regardless of their genders.
I'm tired of Republicans painting me as the other, of questioning my patriotism, and of calling me stupid. And some of the things that I've heard and seen coming from McCain-Palin rallies frighten me. This man held up monkey doll that he dressed up in an Obama sticker, and the other Republicans around him CHEERED.
This is a time to try to find some middle ground, to try and compromise and figure out how we can work together, because if we don't this country will be torn apart. There is only one candidate who is asking us to do this, to work as one country, to come together rather than trying to divide us even further. That candidate is Barack Obama. I have hope for the future again, for the first time in a very, very long time.
I am NOT DANGEROUS. I AM NOT A TERRORIST FOR DISAGREEING WITH YOU ABOUT GOVERNMENT POLICIES. I have hope for the future. I want breathable air and drinkable water and biodiversity and solar power. I want birth control. I want people to be able to live without fear that their health insurance will be canceled the minute they get cancer. I love weddings and think that if two people care about each other enough to have one, they should get to have one--regardless of their genders.
I'm tired of Republicans painting me as the other, of questioning my patriotism, and of calling me stupid. And some of the things that I've heard and seen coming from McCain-Palin rallies frighten me. This man held up monkey doll that he dressed up in an Obama sticker, and the other Republicans around him CHEERED.
This is a time to try to find some middle ground, to try and compromise and figure out how we can work together, because if we don't this country will be torn apart. There is only one candidate who is asking us to do this, to work as one country, to come together rather than trying to divide us even further. That candidate is Barack Obama. I have hope for the future again, for the first time in a very, very long time.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
babycakes
I'm pretty sad that the national cupcake craze appears to be waning. San Diego only recently got any cupcakeries at all. The one I tried recently is called Babycakes, and it's in Hillcrest where David's coffee used to be.
We decided to get one coffee and one cupcake to go. I chose the medium roast coffee, which was just fine but unremarkable and after much decision-making my husband and I picked out a pistachio cupcake to take with us. The guy at the counter seemed a little short tempered with me, especially when we asked if they made any gluten-free pastries (which I was wondering about so that I could take something to my sister if they did). He seemed a little snarly about that.
Anyway, the cupcake was pretty good. The cake was rich, dense and moist and filled with green pistachio colored cream. The frosting was a tad on the sweet side. I was hard pressed to note any pistachio flavor in the frosting or cream, and I thought I saw either green sprinkles or food coloring happening.
This place did sort of kick Cupcakes Squared's ass, but I don't know if I'll be frequenting it. I didn't feel at all welcomed by the staff, and for $3 I expect an outstanding cupcake plus some basic customer service.
We decided to get one coffee and one cupcake to go. I chose the medium roast coffee, which was just fine but unremarkable and after much decision-making my husband and I picked out a pistachio cupcake to take with us. The guy at the counter seemed a little short tempered with me, especially when we asked if they made any gluten-free pastries (which I was wondering about so that I could take something to my sister if they did). He seemed a little snarly about that.
Anyway, the cupcake was pretty good. The cake was rich, dense and moist and filled with green pistachio colored cream. The frosting was a tad on the sweet side. I was hard pressed to note any pistachio flavor in the frosting or cream, and I thought I saw either green sprinkles or food coloring happening.
This place did sort of kick Cupcakes Squared's ass, but I don't know if I'll be frequenting it. I didn't feel at all welcomed by the staff, and for $3 I expect an outstanding cupcake plus some basic customer service.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
unwind
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
The young adult novel Unwind takes a really controversial topic, abortion, and gives it a science fiction twist. In the near future, the war over abortion rights was fought and there were casualties on both sides. An agreement was reached between the two sides—it became legal to “unwind” teenagers under the age of 17. Their parts are harvested for organ transplants. Although at times the story got a little hokey for me, I found it interesting to think about a future where child murder is state sanctioned—actual murder, of human beings who had lives and grew as old as 17. This is a book that will invite conversation about what it means to be alive, where our rights start and stop, and if any agreement will ever be reached about such a controversial subject.
The young adult novel Unwind takes a really controversial topic, abortion, and gives it a science fiction twist. In the near future, the war over abortion rights was fought and there were casualties on both sides. An agreement was reached between the two sides—it became legal to “unwind” teenagers under the age of 17. Their parts are harvested for organ transplants. Although at times the story got a little hokey for me, I found it interesting to think about a future where child murder is state sanctioned—actual murder, of human beings who had lives and grew as old as 17. This is a book that will invite conversation about what it means to be alive, where our rights start and stop, and if any agreement will ever be reached about such a controversial subject.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
it's not easy being cheesy
Dear Cheetos Brand Cheese Flavored Snacks,
I have a new slogan for Chester Cheetah. First of all, he'll get a totally updated hip-hop cool look for the 2000's. And then he'll zoom into frame on a surfboard riding a wave of cheese, look directly at the camera and say, "Stop throwing your fucking single serving Cheeto bags all over the ground in San Diego, bitches! Peace out!" And then he'll surf away. Right after that there will be a voice over that says, "Seriously, kids. If you don't stop with the littering Chester Cheetah is going to show up at your house in the middle of the night and eat your ugly little faces off."
Thanks for your consideration, Cheetos!
Love always, from me
I have a new slogan for Chester Cheetah. First of all, he'll get a totally updated hip-hop cool look for the 2000's. And then he'll zoom into frame on a surfboard riding a wave of cheese, look directly at the camera and say, "Stop throwing your fucking single serving Cheeto bags all over the ground in San Diego, bitches! Peace out!" And then he'll surf away. Right after that there will be a voice over that says, "Seriously, kids. If you don't stop with the littering Chester Cheetah is going to show up at your house in the middle of the night and eat your ugly little faces off."
Thanks for your consideration, Cheetos!
Love always, from me
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Little Brother
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.
Supposedly this book is for young adults, but it should be required reading for everyone. Probably we should study it the way we studied 1984 in high school. Doctorow, who is already well known in the geek world, has written a very important book about freedom and surveillance.
In the not too distant future (just try reading that without signing the MST3K theme song! try!) San Francisco is hit with the worst terrorist attack the US has ever seen, and a group of 4 high school students are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Department of Homeland security interrogates them for days and then sets them free, but they return to a police state where the Bill of Rights has basically been suspended. The book shows how easily this could happen. Luckily the main character, Marcus, is wise beyond his years about computers and security and he fights the power.
Now admittedly I got lost when it came to a lot of the math and cryptography, but I don't think you need to be some sort of leet haxxor to understand that our freedoms are being taken away one by one.
Go! Read it now! And then go check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Supposedly this book is for young adults, but it should be required reading for everyone. Probably we should study it the way we studied 1984 in high school. Doctorow, who is already well known in the geek world, has written a very important book about freedom and surveillance.
In the not too distant future (just try reading that without signing the MST3K theme song! try!) San Francisco is hit with the worst terrorist attack the US has ever seen, and a group of 4 high school students are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Department of Homeland security interrogates them for days and then sets them free, but they return to a police state where the Bill of Rights has basically been suspended. The book shows how easily this could happen. Luckily the main character, Marcus, is wise beyond his years about computers and security and he fights the power.
Now admittedly I got lost when it came to a lot of the math and cryptography, but I don't think you need to be some sort of leet haxxor to understand that our freedoms are being taken away one by one.
Go! Read it now! And then go check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
just the facts
It is hilarious to me that when I go to Google and type in “Jesse Thorn” the suggested searches that pop up are “Jesse Thorn Theresa”, “Jesse Thorn Marriage” “Jesse Thorn Married” and “Jesse Thorn Wedding.” Obsessed with public radio celebrity personal lives much, Google?
This is coming from someone who spent an hour today feeling devastated after searching for "Cynthia Rylant Dav Pilkey" and finding out that they broke up. Years ago.
This is coming from someone who spent an hour today feeling devastated after searching for "Cynthia Rylant Dav Pilkey" and finding out that they broke up. Years ago.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Keturah and Lord Death
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. Young Adult Fiction.
Holy cats, was this ever a fantastic book. Keturah is lost in the forest when Lord Death comes for her. But she is so lovely, so charming and such a wonderful storyteller that he can not help but to grant her a reprieve. He gives her the chance to find her true love within 24 hours, but if she does not do so she must come back to him willingly. This is a mesmerizing fairy tale. It's truly a work of genius, and I'm not sure why it hasn't gotten more notice in the United States. This is a wonderful suggestion for a strong teen reader who is looking for romance. A gentle, poetic novel.
Holy cats, was this ever a fantastic book. Keturah is lost in the forest when Lord Death comes for her. But she is so lovely, so charming and such a wonderful storyteller that he can not help but to grant her a reprieve. He gives her the chance to find her true love within 24 hours, but if she does not do so she must come back to him willingly. This is a mesmerizing fairy tale. It's truly a work of genius, and I'm not sure why it hasn't gotten more notice in the United States. This is a wonderful suggestion for a strong teen reader who is looking for romance. A gentle, poetic novel.
works in progress
Right now I have a couple of things on the needles.
This sweater, that has been in progress for almost a year, might actually be done in time for the winter:
I'm a bit concerned about the sleeve length. I need to learn that whatever measurement I have for my husband I should just add an inch. I mean, he likes negative ease but this is sort of looking like a child's sweater right now. Hopefully I can block some extra length into the sleeves, this yarn seems to have some give to it. Also I will probably run out of yarn and have to buy more before I can finish up the neckline. Blast!
This hat:
is actually blocking right now. It came out too small for my husband (again! curses! one inch bigger than I think it should be, damn it!)so it's mine. However I have a metric assload of that yarn so I immediately cast on another one for him. I'm learning to cable without a cable needle which is actually wicked easy and works much better for me than the cable needle ever did so I feel good about making two of these. Although the hat kind of makes me look like a boy.
I'm planning to cast on a scarf and a baby blanket soon too. Knitty's Op-Art pattern is really cool, and the black and white will be perfect for some rockers having a boy. The scarf will be for me, and I haven't decided which pattern to use yet. Yay for fall knitting!
This sweater, that has been in progress for almost a year, might actually be done in time for the winter:
I'm a bit concerned about the sleeve length. I need to learn that whatever measurement I have for my husband I should just add an inch. I mean, he likes negative ease but this is sort of looking like a child's sweater right now. Hopefully I can block some extra length into the sleeves, this yarn seems to have some give to it. Also I will probably run out of yarn and have to buy more before I can finish up the neckline. Blast!
This hat:
is actually blocking right now. It came out too small for my husband (again! curses! one inch bigger than I think it should be, damn it!)so it's mine. However I have a metric assload of that yarn so I immediately cast on another one for him. I'm learning to cable without a cable needle which is actually wicked easy and works much better for me than the cable needle ever did so I feel good about making two of these. Although the hat kind of makes me look like a boy.
I'm planning to cast on a scarf and a baby blanket soon too. Knitty's Op-Art pattern is really cool, and the black and white will be perfect for some rockers having a boy. The scarf will be for me, and I haven't decided which pattern to use yet. Yay for fall knitting!
The Softwire
I'm not entirely sure what bugged me so much about The Softwire by PJ Haarsma. I wanted to like it. Haarsma is a local author and apparently a friend of Nathan Fillion, so I gave it my best shot. And I like science fiction, don't get me wrong. It got great reviews. But I just didn't enjoy it that much.
The concept was interesting and it started off okay, but I didn't find the way the kids talked believable at all. They sounded like what old people think kids sound like instead of real kids. And it felt a little bit like one of those books that grownups like for the science and morals, but that kids are bored by. Also, it bugs me that it looks like the Amazon.com reviews are all by his friends.
Sorry! I'll still be suggesting it to kids looking for science fiction, but only if they're really into it and there isn't much else on the shelf.
The concept was interesting and it started off okay, but I didn't find the way the kids talked believable at all. They sounded like what old people think kids sound like instead of real kids. And it felt a little bit like one of those books that grownups like for the science and morals, but that kids are bored by. Also, it bugs me that it looks like the Amazon.com reviews are all by his friends.
Sorry! I'll still be suggesting it to kids looking for science fiction, but only if they're really into it and there isn't much else on the shelf.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
books! reading!
I've read a lot in the past month, but I haven't written reviews for most of the books. Here's a list of the not reviewed ones. The reviews I'll post soon.
-Blue Bloods by De La Cruz (Gossip Girl with Vampires)
-Glass Houses by Caine (more vampires, sort of meh)
-Vegan Cupcakes take over the World (looks great but I've no time for baking)
-Runway Knits (not one pattern interested me)
-Veganomicon (awesome reference)
-Knitter's Book of Yarn (excellent, going on my "to purchase" list)
-Wizards at War by Duane (good continuation of the series)
-Ink Exchange by Marr (just stop with Wicked Lovely)
-The Fountains of Paradise by Clarke (classic)
And here are the ones I started but gave up on:
-The Secret Under my Skin by McNaughton (boring dystopia)
-The Gargoyle by Davidson (couldn't get into it)
-What was Lost by O'Flynn (boring!)
More reviews and knitting projects coming soon.
-Blue Bloods by De La Cruz (Gossip Girl with Vampires)
-Glass Houses by Caine (more vampires, sort of meh)
-Vegan Cupcakes take over the World (looks great but I've no time for baking)
-Runway Knits (not one pattern interested me)
-Veganomicon (awesome reference)
-Knitter's Book of Yarn (excellent, going on my "to purchase" list)
-Wizards at War by Duane (good continuation of the series)
-Ink Exchange by Marr (just stop with Wicked Lovely)
-The Fountains of Paradise by Clarke (classic)
And here are the ones I started but gave up on:
-The Secret Under my Skin by McNaughton (boring dystopia)
-The Gargoyle by Davidson (couldn't get into it)
-What was Lost by O'Flynn (boring!)
More reviews and knitting projects coming soon.
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