I arrived at a moment of revelation the other day. I may have a goal of reading the "1001 Books to Read Before You Die" plus personal additions. However, if I am doing this for enjoyment there is no reason to complete books that I abhor.
Recently I've been trying to read Madame Bovary. I detest this book. I have no sympathy for the main character. She's a whiney brat that knew what she was getting in to. Rumors from friends who did read the book for some class or another lead me to believe that I will detest her more and more. I hate this book because I hate this character and I'm wondering where the point is.
I've decided not to finish Madame Bovary. I also may not finish Gulliver's Travels. The story is good, but the language (or more the poor grammar and random capitalization and punctuation) is driving me batty.
So, from now on I allow myself to quit a book if I want to. It makes no sense to not have fun doing something that is supposed to be fun. I can make myself read the awful things later IF I ever take a class that requires them.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Zombie Mayhem reviewed
I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies a few days ago. I must say that all in all it was wonderful. The original integrity of the story Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is maintained with small additions to the characters. All of the Bennet girls are Chinese trained zombie slayers as is Mr. Bennet. Mr. Bingley is a pansy who loses his dinner at the sight of zombies consuming brains. Mr. Darcy is quite skilled at zombie slaying, as is his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
I found only a few things unnecessary. First and foremost was the sexual innuendos. Sure a comment about "his most English parts" in his trousers or a play on words while tossing about gun ammunition (balls) is ok. But, there were a few places where the additions took away from the stry somewhat. They altered the perception of Elizabeth Bennet's proper decorum. The second thing that I had issues with was Charlotte turning into a zombie. It added nothing to the story and actually seemed silly in some places.
Other than just a few areas that I thought could do without the additions it was still very much the same story. The zombie mayhem actually made the story progress faster than the original because there was action to spur a reader on.
I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a few sexual innuendos off from a perfect rating in my book.
In telling an acquaintance about the book I recieved the following comment: "Jane Austen is probably turning over in her grave!" My response is: Perhaps she wants to join in the brain munching mayhem.
I found only a few things unnecessary. First and foremost was the sexual innuendos. Sure a comment about "his most English parts" in his trousers or a play on words while tossing about gun ammunition (balls) is ok. But, there were a few places where the additions took away from the stry somewhat. They altered the perception of Elizabeth Bennet's proper decorum. The second thing that I had issues with was Charlotte turning into a zombie. It added nothing to the story and actually seemed silly in some places.
Other than just a few areas that I thought could do without the additions it was still very much the same story. The zombie mayhem actually made the story progress faster than the original because there was action to spur a reader on.
I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a few sexual innuendos off from a perfect rating in my book.
In telling an acquaintance about the book I recieved the following comment: "Jane Austen is probably turning over in her grave!" My response is: Perhaps she wants to join in the brain munching mayhem.
A moving story
It has been a while since a book has touched me in a way to make me cry while reading. The last I remember is a few years ago when I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (which I hear was made into a really awful movie). I'm sick at home and decided to spend some time reading when I wasn't napping. I managed to read the whole of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook this evening. I must say that near the end I choked up and cried. I spent a good ten minutes once I read the last page just sitting with tears running down my face. The love between Allie and Noah is so amazing. It makes me long to find even a fraction of that in my own life. I can't wait to see the movie version to see if it lives up to the book.
Friday, July 17, 2009
ZOMBIE MAYHEM!
I totally bought Pride and Prejudice and Zombies at Borders a few days ago. All I can say is that all classic literature needs a little zombie mayhem (or vampires, frankensteins, etc) to lend a little action and make things more interesting. So far the integrity of the original has not been affected. I'm excited to see how it progresses.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A tasty read
Who doesn't like chocolate? (If you answered that question saying that you don't, you don't count because chocolate is perfect and everyone should love it.) Well the book Chocolat by Joanne Harris is not really only about chocolate.
Vianne Rocher and her young daughter Anouk are free spirits that settle down for a time in a small town in France. They come right at the beginning of Lent and start turning the town upside down with their chocolatier shop and different ways. Vianne becomes the nemesis of the town priest Reynaud as he thinks she is leading his sheep astray. In truth, he's battling his own demons of memory and shame. Near the end of the story the big Easter Festival is planned and prepared for, and Reynaud plots to sabotage it. Does he succeed? I'll not tell, it would spoil the book.
The main themes play on right and wrong, good an evil, catholic and pagan, and a great many others. The classic underdogs are working hard to have something of their own and looked down on by the high and mighty.
The book is a quick read. There's a bit of female empowerment going on, a great deal about friendships, and a taste of love.
I hear it's been made into a movie. I should check that out now that I've read the book.
Vianne Rocher and her young daughter Anouk are free spirits that settle down for a time in a small town in France. They come right at the beginning of Lent and start turning the town upside down with their chocolatier shop and different ways. Vianne becomes the nemesis of the town priest Reynaud as he thinks she is leading his sheep astray. In truth, he's battling his own demons of memory and shame. Near the end of the story the big Easter Festival is planned and prepared for, and Reynaud plots to sabotage it. Does he succeed? I'll not tell, it would spoil the book.
The main themes play on right and wrong, good an evil, catholic and pagan, and a great many others. The classic underdogs are working hard to have something of their own and looked down on by the high and mighty.
The book is a quick read. There's a bit of female empowerment going on, a great deal about friendships, and a taste of love.
I hear it's been made into a movie. I should check that out now that I've read the book.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Word of the moment
mon·de·green
| noun-- A series of words that result from the mishearing or misinterpretation of a statement or song lyric. For example, I led the pigeons to the flag for I pledge allegiance to the flag. [After (Lady) Mondegreen, a misinterpretation of the line (hae laid) him on the green, from the song "The Bonny Earl of Murray".] |
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Once upon a time I tried to read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (and Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre) and failed. I could grasp the language and cadence of the writing. I was not engaged in the story or the characters. Granted, the fact that I attempted all of these books at the age of 12, and again at 16 or so was possibly part of my problem.
This time around I found that it took only a few pages to be completely enamored by the Bennet girls, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. Seriously, who can't understand a family where the mother is constantly trying to marry off her girls and the girls who are hoping for something better than just a marriage of convenience. Of course, most families don't have five girls to marry off; or the manners that most of the Bennet girls possess.
Truly the story is mostly about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy who supply the roles of protagonist. It is an intense distaste that they have for each other's company that eventually leads them both to find that they truly love each other; though not without some fighting on both of their parts. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both have witty, quick tongues that are as likely to bestow praise as they are barbs.
Of course, the one minor annoyance with this story is that I find myself using similar language. As I had spent a better part of the day reading about the Bennet girls before heading to work, I found myself being pulled over by a police car. As I was trying to ascertain whether or not I was speeding and come up with an excuse before he came up to the window, I found myself thinking through my head words that are not often used in casual conversation. I checked myself and made a few simple phrases in response to the officer's questions figuring that my original thoughts would have earned me a breathalyzer. (I wasn't ticketed, I just had dirt obscuring my expiration date. Guess the cop was bored at 11pm on a Saturday night.)
I am intensely interested in reading another version of Pride and Prejudice. This one is the tradition Jane Austen with additions by Seth Grahame-Smith called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance. It's hitting bestseller lists right and left. I guess they've inserted lovely zombie killing sequences throughout while still keeping the integrity of the original story. I hope to get my hands on a copy soon.
More updates to come. Look for Chocolat, Wuthering Heights, The Host, Gulliver's Travels, and Pretty in Plaid in the upcoming few days/weeks.
This time around I found that it took only a few pages to be completely enamored by the Bennet girls, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. Seriously, who can't understand a family where the mother is constantly trying to marry off her girls and the girls who are hoping for something better than just a marriage of convenience. Of course, most families don't have five girls to marry off; or the manners that most of the Bennet girls possess.
Truly the story is mostly about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy who supply the roles of protagonist. It is an intense distaste that they have for each other's company that eventually leads them both to find that they truly love each other; though not without some fighting on both of their parts. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both have witty, quick tongues that are as likely to bestow praise as they are barbs.
Of course, the one minor annoyance with this story is that I find myself using similar language. As I had spent a better part of the day reading about the Bennet girls before heading to work, I found myself being pulled over by a police car. As I was trying to ascertain whether or not I was speeding and come up with an excuse before he came up to the window, I found myself thinking through my head words that are not often used in casual conversation. I checked myself and made a few simple phrases in response to the officer's questions figuring that my original thoughts would have earned me a breathalyzer. (I wasn't ticketed, I just had dirt obscuring my expiration date. Guess the cop was bored at 11pm on a Saturday night.)
I am intensely interested in reading another version of Pride and Prejudice. This one is the tradition Jane Austen with additions by Seth Grahame-Smith called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance. It's hitting bestseller lists right and left. I guess they've inserted lovely zombie killing sequences throughout while still keeping the integrity of the original story. I hope to get my hands on a copy soon.
More updates to come. Look for Chocolat, Wuthering Heights, The Host, Gulliver's Travels, and Pretty in Plaid in the upcoming few days/weeks.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I'm about one book away from tipping over my house.
I'm pretty sure that I've bought at least 20 books in the last two weeks (many of them on my 1001 Books list!). That in itself is not a bad thing, especially since I picked most up at Goodwill and yard sales. The problem is that I live in a trailer. I'm certain that if not for my roommate's boxes of books stacked against the wall in her room that my whole house would tip over towards the east. That would complicate my life a lot. I'm also perilously close to having no where to put new books. My big book case is full. I'm having to rearrange my 'pretties' into other places and smooshing them all together. Then my headboard is full of borrowed books. I have a stack of books on a corner of the bed. I also have library books on one of the end tables (so I don't mix them in with my other stuff and allow them to be lost). There's a book on the edge of the bath tub that I had intentions of started while immersed in bubbles and Eric Clapton on the stereo but I got caught in games on MyYearbook. Then there are either 3 or 4 books in my purse.
My name is Heatherly and I am a bibliophile.
My name is Heatherly and I am a bibliophile.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Secret Life of Bees
When the movie version of The Secret Life of Bees came out, I was completely disinterested. Now after reading the book, I want to see how they did. I'm adamant about reading books first. I would rather be disappointed in a movie for not living up to the book it is attempting to portray instead of being disappointed in a book because I expected it to follow a movie. Books are always better. Always.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is steeped in the tension of early civil rights (1964) and the coming of age of an abused 14-year-old girl named Lily Owens. After her African-American, stand-in mom Rosaleen affronts a few racists while in town with Lily and subsequently finds them both in jail; Lily hatches a plan to bust Rosaleen out of jail and run away from her abusive father T-Ray.
On a scrap of hope Lily hopes to find people who knew her mother before she died and in doing so, to figure out who Lily Owens is. She and Rosaleen end up in the care of August, May, and June Boatwright--African-American sisters who keep bees for a living. While there Lily learns about life, love, family, and bees.
Heartbreaking at times, and funny in others I read this book cover to cover in the matter of a few scattered hours. I found myself thinking about Lily and August while cleaning up messes at work, while washing dishes, when I was showering--I finally made myself sit down and finish the story so as to find some closure on the matter.
Bees was a quick read in truth, if not for my busy schedule I would have read it in one sitting. I have my roommate Prose to thank for the lending of this book, though I think I will be adding it to my personal library in the near future.
Look for a post on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in the next few days as I am nearly finished with it as well. I'm sitting on pins and needles to find out if Jane will get Mr. Bingley, if Mr. Darcy will succeed in capturing Elizabeth's heart, and where on earth Lydia has gone off to!
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is steeped in the tension of early civil rights (1964) and the coming of age of an abused 14-year-old girl named Lily Owens. After her African-American, stand-in mom Rosaleen affronts a few racists while in town with Lily and subsequently finds them both in jail; Lily hatches a plan to bust Rosaleen out of jail and run away from her abusive father T-Ray.
On a scrap of hope Lily hopes to find people who knew her mother before she died and in doing so, to figure out who Lily Owens is. She and Rosaleen end up in the care of August, May, and June Boatwright--African-American sisters who keep bees for a living. While there Lily learns about life, love, family, and bees.
Heartbreaking at times, and funny in others I read this book cover to cover in the matter of a few scattered hours. I found myself thinking about Lily and August while cleaning up messes at work, while washing dishes, when I was showering--I finally made myself sit down and finish the story so as to find some closure on the matter.
Bees was a quick read in truth, if not for my busy schedule I would have read it in one sitting. I have my roommate Prose to thank for the lending of this book, though I think I will be adding it to my personal library in the near future.
Look for a post on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in the next few days as I am nearly finished with it as well. I'm sitting on pins and needles to find out if Jane will get Mr. Bingley, if Mr. Darcy will succeed in capturing Elizabeth's heart, and where on earth Lydia has gone off to!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Chick lit and me
I am not usually one for chick lit, but I came across a book called Bitter Is the New Black by Jennifer Lancaster a year or so ago and was so taken with the sarcasm and snarkiness that I became a fan (even on Facebook!). How can you not like a book with a front cover that reads, "Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered, Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office"? This non-fiction gem details the life of an ex-sorority girl with more money in her closet than in her savings and what happens when her world comes tumbling down on her. Secretly all poor people want the rich(er) people to fall on their ass, and Jen does and tells us all about it in an hilarious way.
In the last week I have read the sequels, Bright Lights, Big Ass and Such a Pretty Fat. There is a fourth book freshly out that I have yet to read, but believe me that as soon as our library calls me and tells me it's waiting for me I'll be in my car to get it clothed or not.
The best part of Bright Lights, Big Ass was the several pages detailing a trip to the gynecologist after a 4-year-hiatus (my new favorite word I guess since I've used it twice in as many days). When Jen started talking about stapling the paper gown back together over her chubbiness I laughed so hard I choked on a pretzel (dipped in chocolate pudding) and almost woke my roommate. There were many other quite humorous parts, but that one took the cake for me. The central part of the story however was her working as a temp while waiting for money from Bitter is the New Black. How can you not laugh at a former big shot collating copies and fetching coffee for $10 an hour?
In Such Pretty Fat, Jen delved more into her weight issues in a funny and snarktastic way. Much as she used to drop off a bad rent check then force herself to waitress her tables for maximum tips to cover it, she signs her publishing contract as a deadline to make herself work to lose her weight. It's an up and down battle with her binging on pie and working out to a pint sized drill-sargent at the gym.
Through all of the books she throws in funny stories about her dogs, husband, friends, and even herself to show readers that she (and those associated with her) are real people in the real world.
So, chick lit and I can be friends; just don't expect me to start reading every glossy, pink-jacketed, shoe or flower bedecked book out there. It's not going to happen. Jen Lancaster's next book, Pretty in Plaid has pink and green argyle socks on the cover--so not the same.
In the last week I have read the sequels, Bright Lights, Big Ass and Such a Pretty Fat. There is a fourth book freshly out that I have yet to read, but believe me that as soon as our library calls me and tells me it's waiting for me I'll be in my car to get it clothed or not.
The best part of Bright Lights, Big Ass was the several pages detailing a trip to the gynecologist after a 4-year-hiatus (my new favorite word I guess since I've used it twice in as many days). When Jen started talking about stapling the paper gown back together over her chubbiness I laughed so hard I choked on a pretzel (dipped in chocolate pudding) and almost woke my roommate. There were many other quite humorous parts, but that one took the cake for me. The central part of the story however was her working as a temp while waiting for money from Bitter is the New Black. How can you not laugh at a former big shot collating copies and fetching coffee for $10 an hour?
In Such Pretty Fat, Jen delved more into her weight issues in a funny and snarktastic way. Much as she used to drop off a bad rent check then force herself to waitress her tables for maximum tips to cover it, she signs her publishing contract as a deadline to make herself work to lose her weight. It's an up and down battle with her binging on pie and working out to a pint sized drill-sargent at the gym.
Through all of the books she throws in funny stories about her dogs, husband, friends, and even herself to show readers that she (and those associated with her) are real people in the real world.
So, chick lit and I can be friends; just don't expect me to start reading every glossy, pink-jacketed, shoe or flower bedecked book out there. It's not going to happen. Jen Lancaster's next book, Pretty in Plaid has pink and green argyle socks on the cover--so not the same.
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