Holy Cows, I have read! That is right, after close to 4 months of not reading anything more than Sheldon comics and Pearls Before Swine comics, in the last two weeks I have put away 2 books and another 2 books halfway through.
I still don't really understand why I hit a dry spell. Maybe I couldn't bring myself to read knowing how much else there was to do, even if I was procrastinating and not doing what needed to be done. Maybe it was the "pressure" of now having a blog about the books I'm reading-like there are many of you reading this.
Maybe I was watching too much TV. But now that the fall schedule is back I seem to PVR Glee on Tuesdays, SYTYCD is over, and Thursdays is Big Bang THeory and I wait till hubby is home on the weekend to watch that.
Maybe its also the realization that is absolutely no more than 5 months from now I will no longer be working at a library and will be able to discuss books 100% uncensored! Woo woo!
In the meantime I am excited to say that I have read two books and both I think will interest you! So until then my friends...
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
So, it's been a while...
I feel really guilty guys. I had beautiful intentions for this blog. And I still do. But it seems like the minute I started the blog, I stopped reading!
What?! Taren stopped reading? Yah, kind of. I have only read the library book club book and re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows since my last post. So the question is, why?
Well, as the two of you who I know read my blog already know, I found out in July that I am expecting! Which is really exciting and also meant I dropped all other reading for What to Expect When You're Expecting. Then I even gave up on that.
And I don't know I just have fallen off the wagon in favor of the TV. Likely because I can fall asleep while doing that where as I get soo involved in my books I have a hard time putting it down.
I'm slowly getting back into the "mode" of reading but its still just fluffy books that I want and none of which are worth discussing here.
So to tide you over I have recently discovered that someone told the entire Hamlet play by Shakespeare in social media updates. It really is hilarious.
What?! Taren stopped reading? Yah, kind of. I have only read the library book club book and re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows since my last post. So the question is, why?
Well, as the two of you who I know read my blog already know, I found out in July that I am expecting! Which is really exciting and also meant I dropped all other reading for What to Expect When You're Expecting. Then I even gave up on that.
And I don't know I just have fallen off the wagon in favor of the TV. Likely because I can fall asleep while doing that where as I get soo involved in my books I have a hard time putting it down.
I'm slowly getting back into the "mode" of reading but its still just fluffy books that I want and none of which are worth discussing here.
So to tide you over I have recently discovered that someone told the entire Hamlet play by Shakespeare in social media updates. It really is hilarious.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Oprah's Declaration of Reader Independence
So you may have read this, and I may be a little slow, but I'll be honest. I avoid Oprah. I have a personal issue not to be discussed here that generally makes me loath her and what her talk show does for people who watch her day in/day out.
However, in her defense, she has done a lot of good things too. And this Declaration of Reader's Independence is funny and Dead On!
So please, enjoy:
It is my independent right to:
1. Not finish a book, whether you've read to page 10, 50, or 250. (But if it's Ulysses, you get points just for getting past page 1.)
2. See the movie first—especially if you've heard the book is kind of lousy; the movie just has to be better.
3. Read two books at once—and occasionally get the plots mixed up.
4. Reread a childhood favorite. But be forewarned: Charlotte still dies.
5. Judge a book by its cover. Or its title. We defy you, for example, not to pick up Mary Roach's Bonk, which, um, scores on both counts.
6. Wish that Cormac McCarthy would use a little punctuation now and then.
7. Be miffed if your friend doesn't like a book you recommend. On the other hand, you have our permission to be miffed if she gets miffed when you don't like the one she recommends to you.
8. Ignore memoirs by people who have barely cracked their 30s.
9. Declare yourself unmoved by the existential struggles of vampires, zombies (even those in league with Jane Austen), talking dogs, or what we worry is the next trend: scary-smart monkeys.
10. Believe that books can be magic carpets to enchanted lands, even while realizing that they're inanimate objects made of ink and paper. (Unless they're e-books. And it's okay to love those, too.)
For the full article and more of Oprah's books, etc. see here.
However, in her defense, she has done a lot of good things too. And this Declaration of Reader's Independence is funny and Dead On!
So please, enjoy:
It is my independent right to:
1. Not finish a book, whether you've read to page 10, 50, or 250. (But if it's Ulysses, you get points just for getting past page 1.)
2. See the movie first—especially if you've heard the book is kind of lousy; the movie just has to be better.
3. Read two books at once—and occasionally get the plots mixed up.
4. Reread a childhood favorite. But be forewarned: Charlotte still dies.
5. Judge a book by its cover. Or its title. We defy you, for example, not to pick up Mary Roach's Bonk, which, um, scores on both counts.
6. Wish that Cormac McCarthy would use a little punctuation now and then.
7. Be miffed if your friend doesn't like a book you recommend. On the other hand, you have our permission to be miffed if she gets miffed when you don't like the one she recommends to you.
8. Ignore memoirs by people who have barely cracked their 30s.
9. Declare yourself unmoved by the existential struggles of vampires, zombies (even those in league with Jane Austen), talking dogs, or what we worry is the next trend: scary-smart monkeys.
10. Believe that books can be magic carpets to enchanted lands, even while realizing that they're inanimate objects made of ink and paper. (Unless they're e-books. And it's okay to love those, too.)
For the full article and more of Oprah's books, etc. see here.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Books and the beauty of technology.
So this weekend, not feeling overly ambitious, I finally read a book. I have felt horribly guilty not reading lately but I just couldn't bring myself to do it and I've no idea why. But I did it. And it wasn't that good. Highly disappointing. So what was this book...well, you know how I was telling you about Spanking Shakespeare earlier? Well I read Jake Wizner's second novel Castration Celebration. With a title like that I was giggling before I even read the book. However, it wasn't as fun to read as Spanking. He even pulled a few teacher moves-paralleling Shakespeare in the book. But the jokes are lame, the rhyming isn't that witty, the plot line is more predictable than my breakfast when there's only one box of cereal in the house. And for me, what seems like one of the most interesting side plots doesn't even get reconciled. That all being said if you're looking to read a book/play about Much Ado about Nothing set in a summer arts camp with semi funny modern teenage humor, it's worth the 4 hours that it takes to read it.
Now, my main reasons for writing today. I know I have a tendency to rant about technology and its ill effects on literature. But I want to say I'm not against it. I, for example, have learned about soooo many books I likely would never have heard of if it wasn't for the world of the internet. Harry Potter would never have got so big if it wasn't for the internet. I wouldn't have found out about this kids book called It's a Book by Lane Smith if it wasn't for the internet. And most importantly I wouldn't have witnessed one of the sweetest moments of my week last week if it wasn't for the internet.
You see, with Estevan booming the way it is in the oil patch we often take temporary boarders to help us pay the mortgage or save for a trip-whatever floats our boat. And right now we have a guy from BC with two little kids back home. The other night he came home with a brand new Dr. Seuss book in his hands and I questioned him. And he told me that it was almost bedtime for the kids and that his job is to read them their bedtime story. So, just like the cute computer commercials you see on TV that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, he actually uses SKYPE to visit with the kids every day and read them their bedtime story every night. These kids may grow up missing their Dad as he travels around the country working but what a precious connection they will forever have to books, bedtime stories and thier father. And without the internet or SKYPE that never could happen. Awwwww, I love you technology!
Now, my main reasons for writing today. I know I have a tendency to rant about technology and its ill effects on literature. But I want to say I'm not against it. I, for example, have learned about soooo many books I likely would never have heard of if it wasn't for the world of the internet. Harry Potter would never have got so big if it wasn't for the internet. I wouldn't have found out about this kids book called It's a Book by Lane Smith if it wasn't for the internet. And most importantly I wouldn't have witnessed one of the sweetest moments of my week last week if it wasn't for the internet.
You see, with Estevan booming the way it is in the oil patch we often take temporary boarders to help us pay the mortgage or save for a trip-whatever floats our boat. And right now we have a guy from BC with two little kids back home. The other night he came home with a brand new Dr. Seuss book in his hands and I questioned him. And he told me that it was almost bedtime for the kids and that his job is to read them their bedtime story. So, just like the cute computer commercials you see on TV that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, he actually uses SKYPE to visit with the kids every day and read them their bedtime story every night. These kids may grow up missing their Dad as he travels around the country working but what a precious connection they will forever have to books, bedtime stories and thier father. And without the internet or SKYPE that never could happen. Awwwww, I love you technology!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Spanking Cats and Pirates.
Hi everyone. Sorry for neglecting my bookish duties. There has been a lot going on in my world and I would like to believe it is starting to slow down.
Can you believe that in the last 2 weeks I haven't read a single book? That being said I have plenty of stuff to share.
For example. I have turned a few more middle school teachers and school staff onto the hilarity that is Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner. This book is hilarious. It is about a boy named Shakespeare who is in Sr. year of high school and has to write his biography-that is what the book is. Turns out that Shakespeare is good at writing and hilarious at retelling his life, as well as biblical stories and more. So I definitely suggest checking that book out from your nearest library or putting it on your next Chapters/Amazon order. The fun part? Well, aside from the story, is that in 2012 this will become a Nickelodeon movie. The even funner part? In the book Shakespeare has to write his own obituary-and now he can write yours too! Go here.
In other fun news September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day- look forward to my intended post in pirate-ese on fun pirate books.
Also, I love second hand book stores largely because of their uniqueness and charm. This can also be said of independent book stores too. So I loved this article on book stores by the San Francisco Chronicle that highlighted the different kitty mascots of the different book stores in the city!
Can you believe that in the last 2 weeks I haven't read a single book? That being said I have plenty of stuff to share.
For example. I have turned a few more middle school teachers and school staff onto the hilarity that is Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner. This book is hilarious. It is about a boy named Shakespeare who is in Sr. year of high school and has to write his biography-that is what the book is. Turns out that Shakespeare is good at writing and hilarious at retelling his life, as well as biblical stories and more. So I definitely suggest checking that book out from your nearest library or putting it on your next Chapters/Amazon order. The fun part? Well, aside from the story, is that in 2012 this will become a Nickelodeon movie. The even funner part? In the book Shakespeare has to write his own obituary-and now he can write yours too! Go here.
In other fun news September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day- look forward to my intended post in pirate-ese on fun pirate books.
Also, I love second hand book stores largely because of their uniqueness and charm. This can also be said of independent book stores too. So I loved this article on book stores by the San Francisco Chronicle that highlighted the different kitty mascots of the different book stores in the city!
The Ebook/Ereader Rant
If you haven't figured out yet, I am a list person. I like lists because they're insightful and they lead me to think about or look into things I may not have otherwise. This morning I came across a few fantastic lists. The first of which I will share, the others I will paste at the bottom. I got this from Shelf Awareness. Its a daily newsletter that I subscribe to that comes with all kinds of interesting news on books, the book industry, etc.
The Regulator Bookshop, Durham, N.C., featured "Five Things Jeff Bezos Doesn't Want You to Know About the Kindle" on its blog:
1. You read slower on a Kindle.
2. You almost certainly read stupider on a Kindle.
3. The Kindle flunked out of Princeton.
4. Amazon can play Big Brother with your books.
5. Governments can play Big Brother with your books.
The reason I am sharing this my friends- Kindle sucks. I am not a big supporter of ebooks and ereaders in general, but the Kindle I am particularly not a fan of-and I love Amazon!
Why? Reasons 4 & 5 on this list play a large part in it. If I am going to spend my hard earned money on books I don't want them taken away from me. And it has happened already and will continue to happen with ereaders. You do not own ebooks like you own real books. You own the right to have a copy of the digital file on your ereader/computer. And those rights may be revoked for any number of reasons- a change in trade laws with the US, a change in copyright law, a change of heart by the author about digital editions...anything. And they don't have to reimburse your money. And based on the horror stories I have heard-they don't even let you know they're taking them back. You just hook up your ereader and bam, the book disappears.
Now this has primarily only happened with the works of long dead authors and modern classics, but it is annoying none the less. In addition to this, with the constant battle of copyright laws with Google and the changes happening over there I am just too uncertain to buy into it yet.
Another reason not to like the Kindle- you can only buy from Amazon! So if they don't have it digitally, you're S O L. Their newer editions are compatible to read other formats, but that is after a conversion process. But I can't go to say- Sony's ewebsite, or Kobo and download. Its not compatible with my library's ebooks program either. And I'm not sure its compatibility with Google Books either.
I have 2 other reasons for not liking ereaders outright, never mind the Kindle. 1. Is reason one on the above list-you read slower. And you do. Because the screen is smaller, because you're having to scroll, and because you're staring at a computer screen! All the adjustments your brain and eyes need to process add fractions of a second. and while I know that this isn't a huge deal it feels more difficult reading on an ereader than from a book. And in a world that sometimes has problems attracting readers anything that makes it more difficult frustrates me.
Not to mention what staring at a computer all day either at work or school and then coming home to read on an ereader screen-can we imagine what this is going to do to the long term effect of our eyes? I can only imagine.
Second reason...the end of book sharing. Its one of my favorite parts of being a book lover. If I liked the book so much I loan it to half a dozen people to read. You can't do that with an ebook. The best you've got is being able to tweet or share a quote or two on Facebook (which, while admittedly cool doesn't fulfill my purpose). And through being unable to share ebooks it will also lead to the end of used book stores. I heart used book stores. If I could go on vacation by myself that is what I would do-wander from used book store to used book store in England. I love their uniqueness, I love their charm, their variety, their "home-i-ness". I don't want these places to die.
And this belief sort of leads into the last two lists- again, I received these through the Shelf Awareness newsletter:
ReadWriteWeb suggested Five Ways That E-Books Are Better Than Paper Books:
1. Social Highlighting
2. Notes
3. Look-up of words
4. Ability to Tweet & Facebook quotes
5. Search
Giving equal time to the loyal opposition, ReadWriteWeb followed up a day later with Five Ways That Paper Books Are Better Than eBooks:
1. Feel
2. Packaging
3. Sharing
4. Keeping
5. Second-hand books
Lastly to conclude this rant, there is a new children's book out by Lane Smith called It's A Book. Please watch the trailer. It's fantastic and may become essential reading in my house for any future children.
The Regulator Bookshop, Durham, N.C., featured "Five Things Jeff Bezos Doesn't Want You to Know About the Kindle" on its blog:
1. You read slower on a Kindle.
2. You almost certainly read stupider on a Kindle.
3. The Kindle flunked out of Princeton.
4. Amazon can play Big Brother with your books.
5. Governments can play Big Brother with your books.
The reason I am sharing this my friends- Kindle sucks. I am not a big supporter of ebooks and ereaders in general, but the Kindle I am particularly not a fan of-and I love Amazon!
Why? Reasons 4 & 5 on this list play a large part in it. If I am going to spend my hard earned money on books I don't want them taken away from me. And it has happened already and will continue to happen with ereaders. You do not own ebooks like you own real books. You own the right to have a copy of the digital file on your ereader/computer. And those rights may be revoked for any number of reasons- a change in trade laws with the US, a change in copyright law, a change of heart by the author about digital editions...anything. And they don't have to reimburse your money. And based on the horror stories I have heard-they don't even let you know they're taking them back. You just hook up your ereader and bam, the book disappears.
Now this has primarily only happened with the works of long dead authors and modern classics, but it is annoying none the less. In addition to this, with the constant battle of copyright laws with Google and the changes happening over there I am just too uncertain to buy into it yet.
Another reason not to like the Kindle- you can only buy from Amazon! So if they don't have it digitally, you're S O L. Their newer editions are compatible to read other formats, but that is after a conversion process. But I can't go to say- Sony's ewebsite, or Kobo and download. Its not compatible with my library's ebooks program either. And I'm not sure its compatibility with Google Books either.
I have 2 other reasons for not liking ereaders outright, never mind the Kindle. 1. Is reason one on the above list-you read slower. And you do. Because the screen is smaller, because you're having to scroll, and because you're staring at a computer screen! All the adjustments your brain and eyes need to process add fractions of a second. and while I know that this isn't a huge deal it feels more difficult reading on an ereader than from a book. And in a world that sometimes has problems attracting readers anything that makes it more difficult frustrates me.
Not to mention what staring at a computer all day either at work or school and then coming home to read on an ereader screen-can we imagine what this is going to do to the long term effect of our eyes? I can only imagine.
Second reason...the end of book sharing. Its one of my favorite parts of being a book lover. If I liked the book so much I loan it to half a dozen people to read. You can't do that with an ebook. The best you've got is being able to tweet or share a quote or two on Facebook (which, while admittedly cool doesn't fulfill my purpose). And through being unable to share ebooks it will also lead to the end of used book stores. I heart used book stores. If I could go on vacation by myself that is what I would do-wander from used book store to used book store in England. I love their uniqueness, I love their charm, their variety, their "home-i-ness". I don't want these places to die.
And this belief sort of leads into the last two lists- again, I received these through the Shelf Awareness newsletter:
ReadWriteWeb suggested Five Ways That E-Books Are Better Than Paper Books:
1. Social Highlighting
2. Notes
3. Look-up of words
4. Ability to Tweet & Facebook quotes
5. Search
Giving equal time to the loyal opposition, ReadWriteWeb followed up a day later with Five Ways That Paper Books Are Better Than eBooks:
1. Feel
2. Packaging
3. Sharing
4. Keeping
5. Second-hand books
Lastly to conclude this rant, there is a new children's book out by Lane Smith called It's A Book. Please watch the trailer. It's fantastic and may become essential reading in my house for any future children.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Jane Austen's Fight Club
I know it has already gone viral, but its still great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PM0om2El8&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2PM0om2El8&feature=player_embedded
Monday, July 26, 2010
Books into Film
I have decided that the movie industry must be entirely out of movie ideas. I realize that turning a good novel into a good movie has been attempted since the beginning of movies but the last few years seems to be the only thing happening. And they seem to be converted from books into movies quicker than ever.
Lets look at 2009/2010. We had Lovely Bones, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, My Sister's Keeper, Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince (of course), New Moon, Dear John, Alice in Wonderland, Inkheart, Angels & Demons, The Lightening Thief, Eat Pray Love, The Informant... and those are just the ones off the top of my head!
Now it seems that every best seller book I read is being turned into a movie. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is one of my favorite reads of 2010 so far. It is already being filmed. I just discovered today that Water for Elephants is being filmed starring Rob Pattison of Twilight Saga fame and Reese Witherspoon. I love Reese, but I hate Rob. I am now torn because it was such a great book! I have also previously mentioned that Never Let Me Go is going to be coming out starring Keira Knightley. And The Book Thief is also going to be released as a movie in 2011, as is Half a Yellow Sun and those are the ones I already know of, in addition to the continuing Twiglight Saga and...sniff sniff, the final in Harry Potter.
In some ways I am very OK with all of the books into movies. It draws people in to read the books and it supports the movie industry as readers go to see the movie version. This is a big bonus. The only thing I can wish for is that movie theatres would have "films that were Books" displays in the same way many libraries/bookstores and their websites have "books into films" displays.
It does irritate me how inaccurate the movies are compared to the books, but compared to the benefits I will suck it up.
So in summary my friends- be sure to take a closer look at the movies you are watching, if you enjoyed it there is probably a book that preceded it. Check it out and enjoy it too!
Lets look at 2009/2010. We had Lovely Bones, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, My Sister's Keeper, Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince (of course), New Moon, Dear John, Alice in Wonderland, Inkheart, Angels & Demons, The Lightening Thief, Eat Pray Love, The Informant... and those are just the ones off the top of my head!
Now it seems that every best seller book I read is being turned into a movie. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is one of my favorite reads of 2010 so far. It is already being filmed. I just discovered today that Water for Elephants is being filmed starring Rob Pattison of Twilight Saga fame and Reese Witherspoon. I love Reese, but I hate Rob. I am now torn because it was such a great book! I have also previously mentioned that Never Let Me Go is going to be coming out starring Keira Knightley. And The Book Thief is also going to be released as a movie in 2011, as is Half a Yellow Sun and those are the ones I already know of, in addition to the continuing Twiglight Saga and...sniff sniff, the final in Harry Potter.
In some ways I am very OK with all of the books into movies. It draws people in to read the books and it supports the movie industry as readers go to see the movie version. This is a big bonus. The only thing I can wish for is that movie theatres would have "films that were Books" displays in the same way many libraries/bookstores and their websites have "books into films" displays.
It does irritate me how inaccurate the movies are compared to the books, but compared to the benefits I will suck it up.
So in summary my friends- be sure to take a closer look at the movies you are watching, if you enjoyed it there is probably a book that preceded it. Check it out and enjoy it too!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Shanghai Girls
Lisa See is an American author who looks like she could never understand the hardships she writes about in Shanghai Girls, her newest novel released in May 2009. In fact, after reading Girls I was surprised to look at the back cover and see someone who looked as Caucasian as I; but Ms. See is of Chinese decent, and her family has very much lived many of the events discussed in this book. I felt awful making such assumptions that just because she didn't look Chinese, doesn't mean she wasn't or that she didn't truly understand what she was writing about. That lesson is taught in the book and you think I would've caught it then, if not before. So shame on me for my assumptions, and thank you Lisa for this great book and all of your knowledge!
Shanghai girls is about the life of a pair of sisters as they make their way through wars, immigration, working, stereotypes, fear, death, trauma, happiness and every other possible event or emotion one could feel. It’s a quick read, its an easy to follow read but it is an engaging read and you just can’t put it down.
I had originally checked it out as an audio book. Thinking it sounded good but not something I would get around to reading soon, so I put it in the truck. Well, it was so engaging I checked out the book because I can read faster than it is read to me. I was so engrossed in it that I still kept the audio book in the truck, skipping to where I’d finished reading and then when I got home I could skip forward the pages I had listened to.
What I admired about the book was that there were inconsistencies-and when thinking about them, I realize they were intentional. They were used to make the reader think and realize the struggle these “beautiful girls” went through and the decisions made.
I had a few moments where I, yet again, realized how much a person can learn from reading fiction. As an example, there were moments in the book involving Chinese gods and traditions that I was really to appreciate for the moments they were instead of being curious as to their roles in the culture and what these gods represented, etc. I knew this because only a few months ago I had read Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife where I had read about the gods who were a large part of the novel.
I didn’t like the ending at all. It felt like the beginning of a series. I understand why it ended that way-the story isn’t about the daughter, its about the sisters. But I still didn’t have finality. There is still so much they are about to experience as sisters which is just as important as the other stories and struggles and messages we experience in the book.
In addition to this book I have discovered Lisa See is amazingly informative on the Chinese culture in California and specifically Los Angeles and Hollywood. In addition, her Facebook page includes a lot of two way communication on the topic. I have gathered that this is where part of her family settled when they came to North America and that they were a large part of "China Town" in Los Angeles. I was very surprised at the wealth of knowledge evident on both her website and her Facebook page. I wish more authors were like that.
Shanghai girls is about the life of a pair of sisters as they make their way through wars, immigration, working, stereotypes, fear, death, trauma, happiness and every other possible event or emotion one could feel. It’s a quick read, its an easy to follow read but it is an engaging read and you just can’t put it down.
I had originally checked it out as an audio book. Thinking it sounded good but not something I would get around to reading soon, so I put it in the truck. Well, it was so engaging I checked out the book because I can read faster than it is read to me. I was so engrossed in it that I still kept the audio book in the truck, skipping to where I’d finished reading and then when I got home I could skip forward the pages I had listened to.
What I admired about the book was that there were inconsistencies-and when thinking about them, I realize they were intentional. They were used to make the reader think and realize the struggle these “beautiful girls” went through and the decisions made.
I had a few moments where I, yet again, realized how much a person can learn from reading fiction. As an example, there were moments in the book involving Chinese gods and traditions that I was really to appreciate for the moments they were instead of being curious as to their roles in the culture and what these gods represented, etc. I knew this because only a few months ago I had read Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife where I had read about the gods who were a large part of the novel.
I didn’t like the ending at all. It felt like the beginning of a series. I understand why it ended that way-the story isn’t about the daughter, its about the sisters. But I still didn’t have finality. There is still so much they are about to experience as sisters which is just as important as the other stories and struggles and messages we experience in the book.
In addition to this book I have discovered Lisa See is amazingly informative on the Chinese culture in California and specifically Los Angeles and Hollywood. In addition, her Facebook page includes a lot of two way communication on the topic. I have gathered that this is where part of her family settled when they came to North America and that they were a large part of "China Town" in Los Angeles. I was very surprised at the wealth of knowledge evident on both her website and her Facebook page. I wish more authors were like that.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Computers with Legs & Spiffy Personalities...
I promised myself that I wouldn't relate my blog to work often. However, even before working in a library I believed in libraries. I believed in their place in culture, the community and doing it for free. I believe in their ability to provide access to everyone.
The NPR blog wrote this and I like it. They claim Libraries are the next cool thing because we're green, local, librarians are fighters and everyone likes a fighter-and because librarians aren't geeks anymore. Library personnel are apparently your computers-with legs and a spiffy personality. So says NPR. So have a look at the blog post!
The NPR blog wrote this and I like it. They claim Libraries are the next cool thing because we're green, local, librarians are fighters and everyone likes a fighter-and because librarians aren't geeks anymore. Library personnel are apparently your computers-with legs and a spiffy personality. So says NPR. So have a look at the blog post!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Social Economics & the Masses.
Is it just me or is the world finally embracing economics? Is it just me or are they doing that because they are finally explaining economics in a way that makes sense to people.
It all seemed to have started with Freakaonomics, a fantastic book that showed us that whether or not we realize it that we are influenced in many ways-particularly by incentive.
Then Malcolm Gladwell came with Blink, A Tipping Point & Outliers. All of these books explain parts of our psyche in a psychology meets economics meets sociology kind of way-and I love it!
I have Blink on my night stand now and I’m halfway through. I haven’t delved into others of Gladwell’s yet, but that is because I am reading Superfreakanomics, a sequel if you will to the first. So far, it seems an even easier read than the first while still providing us with seemingly useless knowledge that proves patterns that are useful-and that is what makes them fun!
What I love about these types of books is that they give you useless trivia you never wanted to know but is fun to know-prostitution isn’t as financially rewarding as it used to be and if you teach monkeys to use money they will inevitably use indulge in crime and prostitution. But they also show you things we should know and we should be thinking of. For example they illustrate just how much big companies have influence over our laws and legislation. The statistical analysis they show is that car seats, as an example, are no more protective-even when properly installed- than a good old fashioned seat belt for those over two-when it comes to major injuries. They are more helpful for minor injuries. They argue that the reason car seats are a huge deal instead of getting automakers to make smaller seat belts for children for the backseat of the car is because of the powerful lobbying of industry. I think this is absolutely worth investigating and understanding. I think on some level we all know that the industry influences our politicians, even here in Canada. I mean, it can be the only logical reasoning for some of the decisions we see. But do we realize it has gone so far as things we now see as the norm are only the norm because industry has convinced us and our governments it should be?
This conversation can go on its own tangent and maybe it should-we can talk about bottled water, the book Consumed and things like that. But that isn’t my point today. My point is to illustrate how appreciative I am of the books like Freakanomics, Superfreakanomics, Blink and others who bring humor and easy writing to the world of economics so that we might begin to understand these things.
And for the record, Superfreakanomics doesn’t say you shouldn’t use a car seat. In fact they encourage it because it is found to protect better against small injuries which you are more likely to sustain.
It all seemed to have started with Freakaonomics, a fantastic book that showed us that whether or not we realize it that we are influenced in many ways-particularly by incentive.
Then Malcolm Gladwell came with Blink, A Tipping Point & Outliers. All of these books explain parts of our psyche in a psychology meets economics meets sociology kind of way-and I love it!
I have Blink on my night stand now and I’m halfway through. I haven’t delved into others of Gladwell’s yet, but that is because I am reading Superfreakanomics, a sequel if you will to the first. So far, it seems an even easier read than the first while still providing us with seemingly useless knowledge that proves patterns that are useful-and that is what makes them fun!
What I love about these types of books is that they give you useless trivia you never wanted to know but is fun to know-prostitution isn’t as financially rewarding as it used to be and if you teach monkeys to use money they will inevitably use indulge in crime and prostitution. But they also show you things we should know and we should be thinking of. For example they illustrate just how much big companies have influence over our laws and legislation. The statistical analysis they show is that car seats, as an example, are no more protective-even when properly installed- than a good old fashioned seat belt for those over two-when it comes to major injuries. They are more helpful for minor injuries. They argue that the reason car seats are a huge deal instead of getting automakers to make smaller seat belts for children for the backseat of the car is because of the powerful lobbying of industry. I think this is absolutely worth investigating and understanding. I think on some level we all know that the industry influences our politicians, even here in Canada. I mean, it can be the only logical reasoning for some of the decisions we see. But do we realize it has gone so far as things we now see as the norm are only the norm because industry has convinced us and our governments it should be?
This conversation can go on its own tangent and maybe it should-we can talk about bottled water, the book Consumed and things like that. But that isn’t my point today. My point is to illustrate how appreciative I am of the books like Freakanomics, Superfreakanomics, Blink and others who bring humor and easy writing to the world of economics so that we might begin to understand these things.
And for the record, Superfreakanomics doesn’t say you shouldn’t use a car seat. In fact they encourage it because it is found to protect better against small injuries which you are more likely to sustain.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Book Journals
I own three different book journals. I have looked at and almost bought many more. I love the concept of a book journal. It’s different sections allow me to stay organized with an area for me to think about what I read and journal/review, an area for me to keep a list of the books I want to read, and those I’ve lent/borrowed. They are fantastically useful-if you find the right one.
I own: 501 Must Read Books Book Journal, book notes Journal, and Read, Remember, Recommend: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers.
501 is great because it is small & portable and has the 3 parts to the book. First,half the book is for reviews. It starts with the star rating system, title & author, date you read and then leaves lots of lines for you to fill in. The flaw is that its small so I end up using an extra “review” almost every time, but because there are so many pages it doesn’t seem to fill quickly. The second half of the book is actually broken into 3 small parts: books lent, borrowed and reading wishlist. What I like about this one is that the layout is a simple list style with one line to list the book, who you lent it to, the date and a check box for whether or not it was returned. The books borrowed section is the same. As a result they have 20 spots per page and over 10 pages a section-lots of room! Even the Reading Wishlist area is efficient. Title, author, who recommended it, and a check box for once it has been read. Done.
The third part of the book journal is how it gets its name. It is an 8 page list of 501 must read books, alphabetical. With check boxes for if you’ve read them. I would be curious to know how they came up with the list. It ranges from young adult books like Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland to books like Three Men in a Boat, and other obscure classics, and of course the ones you would expect to find. As this journal is a couple of years old I would say you won’t find anything newer than 5 or 6 years old in the list. The only problem I have with the list is that it is a simple check list. Check box if you have read. No where to indicate ones that you may want to read-because few of us will read all 501. But that is easily fixed by keeping a small travel highlighter in the back pocket of the book and highlighting the ones I want to read.
Other great features to this book include a built in book marker so that you can mark your last review, the mentioned pocket in the back and an elastic to keep everything pressed tightly together. Another great feature-there is cover art for some of the 501 books throughout, as well as “did you know” facts throughout the review section- like, did you know: “Children’s and Household Tales, published by the brothers Grimm in the early 19th century, were collected in the French and German countryside as part of their research into linguistics. These old folk tales include Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.” …and now you know.
The flaws of the book are minimal-lines for titles are not long enough, lines for “recommended by” are too long. Review space isn’t long enough either. And there are no tabs for the different sections or indicator so with the exception of that one book mark you are flipping the pages till you find the right place. But the size is right and it is simply laid out.
book notes journal was a gift from my husband. One that I wanted badly. I thought it would be fantastic- it has a section tabs for Recommended Reads, Reading Notes, Favorite Quotes, and Books Borrowed and Lent. Each of the tabs are stiff pockets so if you run out of room you can tuck your pages in it. This is what sold me, as I always run out of room in a book journal in less than a year. It also has the elastic closure so that nothing falls out and other cute features like book quotes through and a highly useful section for listing resources.
The Recommended section is great-3 straight forward lines for books recommended to you-Title, Author, Recommended by. The Books Borrowed/Lent is a straight forward grid: Title, To, From, Date. This set up is the best I have seen because most give you an event amount of space for loaning and borrowing. But here there is no limitation to one category. With this type of layout Now I just have to put my name in the From or To in order to indicate whether I lent it or borrowed it.
Despite these great features I have discovered the more I used this book journal the less I like it. Why? Well, let us start with the publishing quality. When I found this book on the book shelf most of the tab pages were in upside down. So when hubby bought me one I warned him and he looked for one whose tabs weren’t upside down-but alas instead of upside down tabs I have some upside down review pages. Not such a huge deal since a line is a line, but it looks unprofessional and frustrates me every time I come across another.
Second, in the review section they alternate giving you one page for two reviews and the next page is for one review. At first, this seemed wise to me. If I knew I had a lot to think about or review I just turned to a full page review, and when I didn’t I used a short one. Now the problem is that all of the long ones are filled. So, why not do what I’ve done before and when you finish a short one then continue the next page? Because the next page is a long review and therefore full. So I am skipping a couple of pages in order to get to the second half of the review. Its now a semi-disorganized mess.
Also, when I looked and wanted this book I loved that the review section appeared to be about 1/3 of the book. Alas, I discovered 3 months into owning the book that halfway through the reading notes section is actually another section-so did they forget a tab? It wouldn’t surprise me since they can’t manage to put the pages in right side up or the tabs in other editions. This hidden section is called Books Read and is just simply a place to list all of the books you read. Which actually is not a bad feature-I don’t analyze or review every book I read, otherwise I wouldn’t do anything else. But nonetheless it means that my actual space for reviewing was half that I expected and is more or less full long before the rest of the book.
The quotes page was a unique feature to this book and a great place for me to write down page references or passages that were my “ah ha!” moments. But at 14 pages I have begun using it as extra review space because I simply don’t need that kind of room.
All in all its not a bad book, but it wasn’t a cheap one either. It is my only hardcover version, and is very pretty. It is also quite large-7X5 most likely. But for the 30.00 price tag attached to it I would not recommend it, when the 501 Must Read is more conveniently stored/carried, has all the basics, and was a whole 5 or 6 dollars. But at the same time, I love the books lent/borrowed section and use it exclusively among my other journals.
Lastly we come upon my newest book journal-I just got it last week. Read, Remember, Recommends. I follow the blog called Book Club Classics, which I have mentioned before. And she raved about this book as well as the teen version. Amazon even allows you to look inside. I did, I liked what I saw. At first I bought a copy for the library-specifically for the book club so I can keep track of the books they’ve read, are reading and like.
There are some great features to it. First, tabbed sections include an Awards & Notables List, To Read, Journal Pages, Recommendations, Loaner Lists and Resources. The selling feature is without a doubt the huge section that lists all the major award winners nationally and internationally-including Canada-and lists of recommended books by notable papers and blogs. This section even allows room to make your own list and rom to add award winners as announced over upcoming years. This section is about 150 pages long!
The award section is composted of a grid where The award title appears at the top followed by a listing of the year, the title, the author, symbols representing other awards it has won, a column to check if you own the book, one for Recommend, one for To Read, and one for want. It even has a little “how to” at the beginning that explains the different awards and how to use the boxes. It suggests that if you would like to read the book you should simply put an / in the To Read column, and once you’ve read it, finish it off to make an X. Kind of ingenious and simple all at the same time.
After having seen the awards section I showed Read, Remember, Recommends to my book club and suddenly had to order 10 copies-including one for me! Plus I ordered a copy of the teens version for the library and a couple as door prizes in the upcoming year for the library too.
The To Read section of the book contains the same boxes with more room for title, author and one line for notes. What is different from this book to the ones I have already reviewed is that the To Read section is more where books recommended to me go and the Recommendation section is where books I would like to recommend go. I find this a little strange and useless, likely because I don’t keep track of books I would recommend to others. If I liked the book I will likely recommend it to someone, depending on their reading style.
In the To Read section, it also contains the same boxes as the awards section. So once I’ve actually read the book I can check off whether or not I would recommend it, adding another reason that the Recommended section is useless.
Ahh the Journal Pages. I have a love/hate relationship with the journal pages. It is like they took the journal pages of book notes and its secret section for listing all of the books you’ve read and combined them into one. Each page is split into a main column and a thin narrow one. There are plenty of lines on each page. The instructions direct you to always record the author & title but then it is up to you. You can either use the lines for journaling about the book you’ve read and use the thin column to record page references. Or you can just simply record the titles and the date you read them.
The problem is that there is no specific start/end place for an entry because of the multi use ability. And every line is bold so you can event bold at the end of a review to start the next place. It becomes hard to tell the difference from one to the next and the use of a small travel highlighter again becomes necessary. But I have decided to use the pages as a list of the books I’ve read. This book has become more of an organizer for me than a book journal. The awards section is the best I’ve ever seen, the resources section at the end is a mountain of information, the To Read section is one of the best I’ve seen as well. This book falls short in the review area and also, the loan/borrow section is the same as most others so I don’t like it after owning book notes.
In terms of a book lover’s list organizer and resources keeper this book wins hands down and is my new favorite. But as an actual journal it fails. I love their check box system. But the bizarre journal pages leave me grumpy. On a PS note, this book is also larger and thick- you’d have to have a luggage sized purse in order for it to be “hidden” away.
So I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a book journal. But for me, I want all three of these. I love the portability of 501, I love the loaner list portion of book notes, and I love most of the things about RRR (though it is essentially missing a journaling section).
I hope this helps anyone out there looking for a journal, and if any book publishers out there have a new one they would like me to look at-you now know what I want in a book journal! I challenge you to give it to me for a review! I love to use book journals, even if there isn’t a perfect one out there.
I own: 501 Must Read Books Book Journal, book notes Journal, and Read, Remember, Recommend: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers.
501 is great because it is small & portable and has the 3 parts to the book. First,half the book is for reviews. It starts with the star rating system, title & author, date you read and then leaves lots of lines for you to fill in. The flaw is that its small so I end up using an extra “review” almost every time, but because there are so many pages it doesn’t seem to fill quickly. The second half of the book is actually broken into 3 small parts: books lent, borrowed and reading wishlist. What I like about this one is that the layout is a simple list style with one line to list the book, who you lent it to, the date and a check box for whether or not it was returned. The books borrowed section is the same. As a result they have 20 spots per page and over 10 pages a section-lots of room! Even the Reading Wishlist area is efficient. Title, author, who recommended it, and a check box for once it has been read. Done.
The third part of the book journal is how it gets its name. It is an 8 page list of 501 must read books, alphabetical. With check boxes for if you’ve read them. I would be curious to know how they came up with the list. It ranges from young adult books like Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland to books like Three Men in a Boat, and other obscure classics, and of course the ones you would expect to find. As this journal is a couple of years old I would say you won’t find anything newer than 5 or 6 years old in the list. The only problem I have with the list is that it is a simple check list. Check box if you have read. No where to indicate ones that you may want to read-because few of us will read all 501. But that is easily fixed by keeping a small travel highlighter in the back pocket of the book and highlighting the ones I want to read.
Other great features to this book include a built in book marker so that you can mark your last review, the mentioned pocket in the back and an elastic to keep everything pressed tightly together. Another great feature-there is cover art for some of the 501 books throughout, as well as “did you know” facts throughout the review section- like, did you know: “Children’s and Household Tales, published by the brothers Grimm in the early 19th century, were collected in the French and German countryside as part of their research into linguistics. These old folk tales include Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.” …and now you know.
The flaws of the book are minimal-lines for titles are not long enough, lines for “recommended by” are too long. Review space isn’t long enough either. And there are no tabs for the different sections or indicator so with the exception of that one book mark you are flipping the pages till you find the right place. But the size is right and it is simply laid out.
book notes journal was a gift from my husband. One that I wanted badly. I thought it would be fantastic- it has a section tabs for Recommended Reads, Reading Notes, Favorite Quotes, and Books Borrowed and Lent. Each of the tabs are stiff pockets so if you run out of room you can tuck your pages in it. This is what sold me, as I always run out of room in a book journal in less than a year. It also has the elastic closure so that nothing falls out and other cute features like book quotes through and a highly useful section for listing resources.
The Recommended section is great-3 straight forward lines for books recommended to you-Title, Author, Recommended by. The Books Borrowed/Lent is a straight forward grid: Title, To, From, Date. This set up is the best I have seen because most give you an event amount of space for loaning and borrowing. But here there is no limitation to one category. With this type of layout Now I just have to put my name in the From or To in order to indicate whether I lent it or borrowed it.
Despite these great features I have discovered the more I used this book journal the less I like it. Why? Well, let us start with the publishing quality. When I found this book on the book shelf most of the tab pages were in upside down. So when hubby bought me one I warned him and he looked for one whose tabs weren’t upside down-but alas instead of upside down tabs I have some upside down review pages. Not such a huge deal since a line is a line, but it looks unprofessional and frustrates me every time I come across another.
Second, in the review section they alternate giving you one page for two reviews and the next page is for one review. At first, this seemed wise to me. If I knew I had a lot to think about or review I just turned to a full page review, and when I didn’t I used a short one. Now the problem is that all of the long ones are filled. So, why not do what I’ve done before and when you finish a short one then continue the next page? Because the next page is a long review and therefore full. So I am skipping a couple of pages in order to get to the second half of the review. Its now a semi-disorganized mess.
Also, when I looked and wanted this book I loved that the review section appeared to be about 1/3 of the book. Alas, I discovered 3 months into owning the book that halfway through the reading notes section is actually another section-so did they forget a tab? It wouldn’t surprise me since they can’t manage to put the pages in right side up or the tabs in other editions. This hidden section is called Books Read and is just simply a place to list all of the books you read. Which actually is not a bad feature-I don’t analyze or review every book I read, otherwise I wouldn’t do anything else. But nonetheless it means that my actual space for reviewing was half that I expected and is more or less full long before the rest of the book.
The quotes page was a unique feature to this book and a great place for me to write down page references or passages that were my “ah ha!” moments. But at 14 pages I have begun using it as extra review space because I simply don’t need that kind of room.
All in all its not a bad book, but it wasn’t a cheap one either. It is my only hardcover version, and is very pretty. It is also quite large-7X5 most likely. But for the 30.00 price tag attached to it I would not recommend it, when the 501 Must Read is more conveniently stored/carried, has all the basics, and was a whole 5 or 6 dollars. But at the same time, I love the books lent/borrowed section and use it exclusively among my other journals.
Lastly we come upon my newest book journal-I just got it last week. Read, Remember, Recommends. I follow the blog called Book Club Classics, which I have mentioned before. And she raved about this book as well as the teen version. Amazon even allows you to look inside. I did, I liked what I saw. At first I bought a copy for the library-specifically for the book club so I can keep track of the books they’ve read, are reading and like.
There are some great features to it. First, tabbed sections include an Awards & Notables List, To Read, Journal Pages, Recommendations, Loaner Lists and Resources. The selling feature is without a doubt the huge section that lists all the major award winners nationally and internationally-including Canada-and lists of recommended books by notable papers and blogs. This section even allows room to make your own list and rom to add award winners as announced over upcoming years. This section is about 150 pages long!
The award section is composted of a grid where The award title appears at the top followed by a listing of the year, the title, the author, symbols representing other awards it has won, a column to check if you own the book, one for Recommend, one for To Read, and one for want. It even has a little “how to” at the beginning that explains the different awards and how to use the boxes. It suggests that if you would like to read the book you should simply put an / in the To Read column, and once you’ve read it, finish it off to make an X. Kind of ingenious and simple all at the same time.
After having seen the awards section I showed Read, Remember, Recommends to my book club and suddenly had to order 10 copies-including one for me! Plus I ordered a copy of the teens version for the library and a couple as door prizes in the upcoming year for the library too.
The To Read section of the book contains the same boxes with more room for title, author and one line for notes. What is different from this book to the ones I have already reviewed is that the To Read section is more where books recommended to me go and the Recommendation section is where books I would like to recommend go. I find this a little strange and useless, likely because I don’t keep track of books I would recommend to others. If I liked the book I will likely recommend it to someone, depending on their reading style.
In the To Read section, it also contains the same boxes as the awards section. So once I’ve actually read the book I can check off whether or not I would recommend it, adding another reason that the Recommended section is useless.
Ahh the Journal Pages. I have a love/hate relationship with the journal pages. It is like they took the journal pages of book notes and its secret section for listing all of the books you’ve read and combined them into one. Each page is split into a main column and a thin narrow one. There are plenty of lines on each page. The instructions direct you to always record the author & title but then it is up to you. You can either use the lines for journaling about the book you’ve read and use the thin column to record page references. Or you can just simply record the titles and the date you read them.
The problem is that there is no specific start/end place for an entry because of the multi use ability. And every line is bold so you can event bold at the end of a review to start the next place. It becomes hard to tell the difference from one to the next and the use of a small travel highlighter again becomes necessary. But I have decided to use the pages as a list of the books I’ve read. This book has become more of an organizer for me than a book journal. The awards section is the best I’ve ever seen, the resources section at the end is a mountain of information, the To Read section is one of the best I’ve seen as well. This book falls short in the review area and also, the loan/borrow section is the same as most others so I don’t like it after owning book notes.
In terms of a book lover’s list organizer and resources keeper this book wins hands down and is my new favorite. But as an actual journal it fails. I love their check box system. But the bizarre journal pages leave me grumpy. On a PS note, this book is also larger and thick- you’d have to have a luggage sized purse in order for it to be “hidden” away.
So I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a book journal. But for me, I want all three of these. I love the portability of 501, I love the loaner list portion of book notes, and I love most of the things about RRR (though it is essentially missing a journaling section).
I hope this helps anyone out there looking for a journal, and if any book publishers out there have a new one they would like me to look at-you now know what I want in a book journal! I challenge you to give it to me for a review! I love to use book journals, even if there isn’t a perfect one out there.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Electronic Book Databases.
First before I get started on what I’m talking about today I have to say I am writing this under the shade of my new gazebo sunshade in my backyard. I feel like a princess-it’s huge and gorgeous! Ahhhhhhh….
Now the important stuff!
One of my favorite things to do with my books-other than read them- is to “play” with them-I like to alphabetize, categorize, journal about them, recommend them, catalogue them-just generally touch them. I love the feel of books.
So it stands to reason that I have a book catalogue. And that my friends is what I want to share with you today. I have had several calls at work from people asking to help them design databases for home libraries and comic collections. Plus, I do it a lot at home. I have tried several incarnations- an excel sheet, a program online called BookDB. And finally my Ipod app, called, appropriately, iBookshelf. Now all of them were highly useful if all you were wanting to do was catalogue, but iBookshelf wins hands down for professional looking, easy data entry and easy entry removal. With BookDB it looked like a database you would never want anyone to see-geeky and complicated. It really wasn’t, but at first glance that is how it looks. I should point out too that all of the applications I’ve tried have been free, because, well, I’m cheap and the less I spend on other stuff, the more I have for books.
What is great about iBookshelf is that when I turn my iTouch on its side it becomes a slideshow of my books' cover art. I can scroll through them in alphabetic order to see what I have. The thing that makes entries so quick is that you only have to enter is the ISBN number. Then it searches its databases and enters the author name, title, cover image, publishing date, edition, genre, etc all on its own! This of course becomes a bit of a problem when you have an edition for which there was no ISBN number, or it can’t find the ISBN number-and that does happen. But in that case I just suck it up, search by title alone, choose a different version of the same book and make a note in its notes field that I don’t own this exact edition.
Another feature is that it isn’t just for books you own. When you catalog an entry you can choose own, borrow, loan or want. Then on the main screen you can choose to just view the books by this category. So if I am in a book store looking for a new purchase I can peruse my want list, or if I can't seem to find a book I can look through my loan list to see if I gave it out, etc.
When you choose own you can choose to enter a library name. So for example, I have a bookshelf upstairs, a bookshelf of my husband’s books and a shelf in my bedroom, and 3 more in the basement next to my husband’s books. So I use this library feature to enter in the location of the book in my house. In the borrow field I can enter in who I borrowed the book from, when I borrowed it and when I returned it. I can also sink this feature with my day timer and set a reminder to return the book. The loan feature allows me to note who I lent a book to, when and whether they returned it and when.
The downside to this feature is that the backup is done through email and I have yet to figure out how to reinstate a backup as I lost everything when I upgraded to OS4 (lets not even get me started but apple, I’m loving you a little less recently. Your fantastic applications are the only thing making me stay in this relationship).
This is still the best free application I have came across, even if I do end up having to type them all in again. Why? Because it is quick and simple. It looks good too. And its portable. With excel or the BookDB, if I didn’t have my computer with me-or at least a memory stick and access to a computer with the same programs, I couldn’t access my home library list. But with the iBookshelf, it doesn’t matter because my itouch goes everywhere I go!
So of those I have tried, if you’re an ipod user, go with that. If you’re not I would stick with excel. It’s customization allows for you to make your database whatever you need it to be.
Now the important stuff!
One of my favorite things to do with my books-other than read them- is to “play” with them-I like to alphabetize, categorize, journal about them, recommend them, catalogue them-just generally touch them. I love the feel of books.
So it stands to reason that I have a book catalogue. And that my friends is what I want to share with you today. I have had several calls at work from people asking to help them design databases for home libraries and comic collections. Plus, I do it a lot at home. I have tried several incarnations- an excel sheet, a program online called BookDB. And finally my Ipod app, called, appropriately, iBookshelf. Now all of them were highly useful if all you were wanting to do was catalogue, but iBookshelf wins hands down for professional looking, easy data entry and easy entry removal. With BookDB it looked like a database you would never want anyone to see-geeky and complicated. It really wasn’t, but at first glance that is how it looks. I should point out too that all of the applications I’ve tried have been free, because, well, I’m cheap and the less I spend on other stuff, the more I have for books.
What is great about iBookshelf is that when I turn my iTouch on its side it becomes a slideshow of my books' cover art. I can scroll through them in alphabetic order to see what I have. The thing that makes entries so quick is that you only have to enter is the ISBN number. Then it searches its databases and enters the author name, title, cover image, publishing date, edition, genre, etc all on its own! This of course becomes a bit of a problem when you have an edition for which there was no ISBN number, or it can’t find the ISBN number-and that does happen. But in that case I just suck it up, search by title alone, choose a different version of the same book and make a note in its notes field that I don’t own this exact edition.
Another feature is that it isn’t just for books you own. When you catalog an entry you can choose own, borrow, loan or want. Then on the main screen you can choose to just view the books by this category. So if I am in a book store looking for a new purchase I can peruse my want list, or if I can't seem to find a book I can look through my loan list to see if I gave it out, etc.
When you choose own you can choose to enter a library name. So for example, I have a bookshelf upstairs, a bookshelf of my husband’s books and a shelf in my bedroom, and 3 more in the basement next to my husband’s books. So I use this library feature to enter in the location of the book in my house. In the borrow field I can enter in who I borrowed the book from, when I borrowed it and when I returned it. I can also sink this feature with my day timer and set a reminder to return the book. The loan feature allows me to note who I lent a book to, when and whether they returned it and when.
The downside to this feature is that the backup is done through email and I have yet to figure out how to reinstate a backup as I lost everything when I upgraded to OS4 (lets not even get me started but apple, I’m loving you a little less recently. Your fantastic applications are the only thing making me stay in this relationship).
This is still the best free application I have came across, even if I do end up having to type them all in again. Why? Because it is quick and simple. It looks good too. And its portable. With excel or the BookDB, if I didn’t have my computer with me-or at least a memory stick and access to a computer with the same programs, I couldn’t access my home library list. But with the iBookshelf, it doesn’t matter because my itouch goes everywhere I go!
So of those I have tried, if you’re an ipod user, go with that. If you’re not I would stick with excel. It’s customization allows for you to make your database whatever you need it to be.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Red Tent
So prior to me starting at the library the book club there had read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. Based on the discussion I was happy to have missed it-a book about women and their periods, really? Not that the topic makes me uncomfortable, I just couldn’t see it being a good story.
And then I won a copy from one of my favorite book blogs: Book Club Classics. But even then it sat on my book shelf for months. As I asked people about the book too many good reports have come my way about this book, and I like historical fiction. Plus, having recently read Lamb by Christopher Moore I am intrigued by seeing biblical characters as real humans.
This story is a powerful story of sisterhood, of love, of trauma, but primarily of womanhood. At the end of this book I have never felt so proud to be a woman as I had after reading this book- we are strong, we are versatile, we are talented, we are smart, and yet we feel, we’re compassionate, we are human and goddess.
Even the portrayal of worshipping, of sacrfices, of customs and rituals did not seem as archaic and savage as tribal rituals are often portrayed in modern literature. I felt a longing for a ritual around the time where we become women instead of a clinical sex talk-now you can get pregnant and you’re going to be awkward and moody once a month for most of the rest of your life- congrats, because teenagehood isn’t awkward enough. In the book it was a right of passage, something you waited for and longed for, something that made you important. What a powerful concept.
The other interesting thing that I still haven’t sorted out is the character of Joseph in the book. I wanted him so much to be loyal to Dinah throughout their lives. And I am still not sure I understand his character. Perhaps that is because I didn’t understand nor do I, the difference between women and men in that time. It is hard to when contrasting the sons of Jacob with Shalem. Shalem is a man of modern times. Perhaps that is why his story goes the way it does. BAH! Writing deeply about this is difficult when I don’t want to ruin the story!
It is a wonderfully moving book and I encourage all of you women out there to read it and celebrate being a woman!
And then I won a copy from one of my favorite book blogs: Book Club Classics. But even then it sat on my book shelf for months. As I asked people about the book too many good reports have come my way about this book, and I like historical fiction. Plus, having recently read Lamb by Christopher Moore I am intrigued by seeing biblical characters as real humans.
This story is a powerful story of sisterhood, of love, of trauma, but primarily of womanhood. At the end of this book I have never felt so proud to be a woman as I had after reading this book- we are strong, we are versatile, we are talented, we are smart, and yet we feel, we’re compassionate, we are human and goddess.
Even the portrayal of worshipping, of sacrfices, of customs and rituals did not seem as archaic and savage as tribal rituals are often portrayed in modern literature. I felt a longing for a ritual around the time where we become women instead of a clinical sex talk-now you can get pregnant and you’re going to be awkward and moody once a month for most of the rest of your life- congrats, because teenagehood isn’t awkward enough. In the book it was a right of passage, something you waited for and longed for, something that made you important. What a powerful concept.
The other interesting thing that I still haven’t sorted out is the character of Joseph in the book. I wanted him so much to be loyal to Dinah throughout their lives. And I am still not sure I understand his character. Perhaps that is because I didn’t understand nor do I, the difference between women and men in that time. It is hard to when contrasting the sons of Jacob with Shalem. Shalem is a man of modern times. Perhaps that is why his story goes the way it does. BAH! Writing deeply about this is difficult when I don’t want to ruin the story!
It is a wonderfully moving book and I encourage all of you women out there to read it and celebrate being a woman!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Never Let Me Go
So the other day I found out that Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is becoming a movie. And it is coming out Septmeber 15th. The book is amazing. It is one of those books I talked about last time- that I found out through a person who found it through a person and I couldn’t understand why I had never heard of it before.
Here is a synopsis of the book:
The novel describes the life of Kathy H., a young woman of 31, focusing at first on her childhood at an unusual boarding school and eventually her adult life. The story takes place in a dystopian Britain, in which human beings are cloned to provide donor organs for transplants. Kathy and her classmates have been created to be donors, though the adult Kathy is temporarily working as a "carer," someone who supports and comforts donors as they are made to give up their organs and, eventually, submit to death.
For full summary go here.
Originally published in 2005 what I love about this book is that it is horrifying and enthralling at the same time. The theme- that some children are raised solely to become organ donors for the rest of the population seems completely against nature. It is simply horrifying to me that you could be born into a life you are forced to live. I was surprised there wasn’t more suicide rates in the school.
At the same time, it is a science fiction where the horror comes from the fact we realize this could possibly happen.
What makes this book readable for the non-sci fi reader is the fact that the novel focuses on the relationships. Kathy’s friends fall in love and prove themselves to be more than clones-they’re human.
But the reason I am telling you about this book is not just because I think you should put it on your to read list before the movie comes out. I am also really unsure whether or not this movie is going to be successful. Yes, it starts Kiera Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Sally Hawkins. Yes, they have moved up the release date to be a fall blockbuster. But I am really not sure that the mass movie going public is going to be ready for this topic. The book is moving, it is gritty, it is scary and fascinating. If the trailer is any indication, the movie has the potential to be all of these things as well. This topic may be to dark for the general public. I know I can’t get most of my friends to read the book- even those who generally trust my opinion with books.
I guess we will wait to see, but I’m calling it now. Minor hit, at best. Not because it won’t be a good movie but because its dark.
Here’s a preview for the trailer:
Here is a synopsis of the book:
The novel describes the life of Kathy H., a young woman of 31, focusing at first on her childhood at an unusual boarding school and eventually her adult life. The story takes place in a dystopian Britain, in which human beings are cloned to provide donor organs for transplants. Kathy and her classmates have been created to be donors, though the adult Kathy is temporarily working as a "carer," someone who supports and comforts donors as they are made to give up their organs and, eventually, submit to death.
For full summary go here.
Originally published in 2005 what I love about this book is that it is horrifying and enthralling at the same time. The theme- that some children are raised solely to become organ donors for the rest of the population seems completely against nature. It is simply horrifying to me that you could be born into a life you are forced to live. I was surprised there wasn’t more suicide rates in the school.
At the same time, it is a science fiction where the horror comes from the fact we realize this could possibly happen.
What makes this book readable for the non-sci fi reader is the fact that the novel focuses on the relationships. Kathy’s friends fall in love and prove themselves to be more than clones-they’re human.
But the reason I am telling you about this book is not just because I think you should put it on your to read list before the movie comes out. I am also really unsure whether or not this movie is going to be successful. Yes, it starts Kiera Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Sally Hawkins. Yes, they have moved up the release date to be a fall blockbuster. But I am really not sure that the mass movie going public is going to be ready for this topic. The book is moving, it is gritty, it is scary and fascinating. If the trailer is any indication, the movie has the potential to be all of these things as well. This topic may be to dark for the general public. I know I can’t get most of my friends to read the book- even those who generally trust my opinion with books.
I guess we will wait to see, but I’m calling it now. Minor hit, at best. Not because it won’t be a good movie but because its dark.
Here’s a preview for the trailer:
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Good Books You Never Hear About...
These are probably my favorite kind of books. I don’t hear about them from Oprah, an award announcement or the bestseller’s list. I stumble upon them at the library, a display at the book store, or through a friend and I am transfixed. The books that are soo good you don’t understand why it took so long to discover it, or why it seems no one else has either. They are the books you tell your friends about and suddenly the one or two copies in the library are on hold for months. Ahhh, the power of word of mouth.
But it makes a person wonder what takes it for a book to make it. Close to 1 million books are published around the world every year so its easy to see how books get easily missed each year and easily forgotten after a year. And if a million books are published it really is a precious thing to “make it big.” So the question is, how do they make it? How do you make that break through, how do you get short listed? How do you get noticed & loved?
Well I did some research and it does unfortunately appear that, typical of any mass produced products these days, you have to have the money for marketing and PR and persistence by the author/agent/publisher. And a gimmick. But that was on the surface, the more I looked the more it got so complicated that it gave me a headache and I gave up(see below). I think this is one of my times where I’d rather just “damn the man” and claim it’s impossible. But don’t cave to my simple mind, here’s a link from the Association of Canadian Publishers.
Now that being said, they aren’t always right either. How do I know this? Well, let us take a look at Mary-Ann Kirkby’s I am Hutterite. She took that book to many publishers that are part of the association and they all said no. They all said there was no audience. So she published it herself. She started her own company to market it herself, and now it is a national best seller. She is the winner of the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Award. And now she is being picked up by US publisher Thomas Nelson for a US release of the book. So the question is what did the publisher’s miss? Why didn’t they see its potential?
On a bigger level: JK Rowling and Harry Potter- it is well documented that over a dozen publishers turned her down what became the bestselling children’s series of all time and it has literally turned Ms. Rowling from Rags to Riches.
So yet again, I still don’t really have an answer. But hopefully I am making you think about all the hard work it takes the author, the editors and the publishers to get that book in your hand; that you have even heard of the book. So treasure your finds, and when you do find a treasure share it with the world!
In the meantime, here are some of my favorite discoveries:
Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
The Cure for Modern Life by Lisa Tucker
The Almond Picker by Simonetta Agnello Hornby (translated from Italian)
*I want you to know I don't intend on being a lazy blogger. But I've been busy. Maybe one day I'll interview someone who reads manuscripts for living and get the answer to the question and share it with the world (aka you). But in the mean time, just accept my apologizes for being a lazy blogger.
But it makes a person wonder what takes it for a book to make it. Close to 1 million books are published around the world every year so its easy to see how books get easily missed each year and easily forgotten after a year. And if a million books are published it really is a precious thing to “make it big.” So the question is, how do they make it? How do you make that break through, how do you get short listed? How do you get noticed & loved?
Well I did some research and it does unfortunately appear that, typical of any mass produced products these days, you have to have the money for marketing and PR and persistence by the author/agent/publisher. And a gimmick. But that was on the surface, the more I looked the more it got so complicated that it gave me a headache and I gave up(see below). I think this is one of my times where I’d rather just “damn the man” and claim it’s impossible. But don’t cave to my simple mind, here’s a link from the Association of Canadian Publishers.
Now that being said, they aren’t always right either. How do I know this? Well, let us take a look at Mary-Ann Kirkby’s I am Hutterite. She took that book to many publishers that are part of the association and they all said no. They all said there was no audience. So she published it herself. She started her own company to market it herself, and now it is a national best seller. She is the winner of the 2007 Saskatchewan Book Award. And now she is being picked up by US publisher Thomas Nelson for a US release of the book. So the question is what did the publisher’s miss? Why didn’t they see its potential?
On a bigger level: JK Rowling and Harry Potter- it is well documented that over a dozen publishers turned her down what became the bestselling children’s series of all time and it has literally turned Ms. Rowling from Rags to Riches.
So yet again, I still don’t really have an answer. But hopefully I am making you think about all the hard work it takes the author, the editors and the publishers to get that book in your hand; that you have even heard of the book. So treasure your finds, and when you do find a treasure share it with the world!
In the meantime, here are some of my favorite discoveries:
Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
The Cure for Modern Life by Lisa Tucker
The Almond Picker by Simonetta Agnello Hornby (translated from Italian)
*I want you to know I don't intend on being a lazy blogger. But I've been busy. Maybe one day I'll interview someone who reads manuscripts for living and get the answer to the question and share it with the world (aka you). But in the mean time, just accept my apologizes for being a lazy blogger.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Historical Fiction. The Good, the Bad, the Entertaining.
**DISCLAIMER** Today’s conversation on historical fiction discusses The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Doyle. I love this book. You should go read it. But do so before reading this post. The things I say in this post, had I thought about them or known them before reading it the first time, may have changed my opinion of it. The magic would be gone. So please, read the book first!
************************************************************************************
I seem to be on a bit of a trend in my reading- historical fiction set in WWII. In the last year I have probably read close to 10, or more, and other 5-6 on my book shelf. In fact right now I just started Suite Francaise.
I do not seem to be the only one reading this genre either. Even the generation who experienced the war first hand are inhaling this genre and setting. So what makes us attracted to this genre? I think it may be two fold. The first being that the setting itself makes it easier to develop a story of self discover and love. It has been done many times before –we know the story already. But at the same time with so many places and people and cultures that it is a different story every time.
But I think the most compelling reason we’re drinking it in is that it enables us to remember the past and still be distant; plus it allows us to relate a little to the wars our nations are currently in.
We understand the need to learn and know the past but we find it difficult to read the history books-it can be dull and political. But as humans we are social and compassionate and connect through relationships. As such, reading historical fiction set in WWII allows us to connect and we think we learn to understand, remember, learn and grow all while being entertained. It’s amazing this power of literature, isn’t it?
But does that mean historical fiction is the best way to learn about our past? Of course not. In fact, I would be inclined to lean towards the argument that historical fiction for those not also watching History TV, researching online, reading the history books or at least discussing the book's content is actually going to contribute to the ignorance around the subject. Why? Because you feel like you know what happened and you’re beginning to understand the time but that likely isn’t true. Our emotions are more powerful than our knowledge.
In historical fiction authors can take license to change facts to work with their story. Without research, or at least discussion, as a reader you do not know where that line is, it may be in dates, times, locations, or concept that has been changed to fit the story.
Lets look at an example, The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Doyle. This is a short children’s novel but one of my favorite WWII fiction books. Why? Because it moved me in a way that books seldom do. It made me feel for the Jews but also for the innocence of German children too. It made me wonder what it would’ve been like to be a German child during WWII. The most moving moments connect me to the present and the last couple of pages will resonate with me for a long time.
Despite my love for this book, I know that it is reported to be quite historically incorrect. First, there is the constant misunderstanding of German words and terms by the little boy whom the author claims only speaks German, the fact that they killed children at concentration camps so Schmuel would never have lived, or the fact the real fence around Auschwitz was electrified making a key plot moment impossible. The inaccuracy of Doyle’s portrayal of the maturity of 8 & 12 year old children is actually quite bad and leads to a lot of the complaints about the book. These issues really only scratches the surface, but it does prove my point.
After reading this book I feel like I understood a little more about what Jewish people went through in Auschwitz and particularly Jewish children. This is absolutely not the case based on what I just said above. Until reading up on it I was still entirely ignorant to the facts. And had I not heard so many complaints after I had read it I never would have looked up the facts. I thought I understood thanks to this book, but in fact I did not.
While emotions are often more powerful than knowledge the best and most comprehensive understanding- the one that can break the ignorance- is a combination of compassion and knowledge. Feel like you understand but read the facts too so you really do understand.
Does this mean we’re better off without historical fiction- NO! It is good to feel compassion. That is useful in other ways. Historical fiction can also lead a person to the historical facts (as it did me in the case of Stripped Pajamas). It is an introduction and it is great entertainment. I would just argue that people need to remind themselves it is just fiction.
To end this already lengthy post here are some of my favorite WWII historical fiction:
1. Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Doyle
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society
3. The Postmistress
4. Suite francaise (likely, I’m only 20 pages in).
5. Atonement
6. The Great Escape
7. Sarah’s Key
Ones I haven’t read yet but suspect I will love:
8. Five Quarters of the of the Orange
9. The Kindly Ones
10. The Book Thief
11. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
12. The Reader
13. The Madonnas of Leningrad
14. A woman in Berlin
15. Those Who Save Us
16. Cutting for stone
************************************************************************************
I seem to be on a bit of a trend in my reading- historical fiction set in WWII. In the last year I have probably read close to 10, or more, and other 5-6 on my book shelf. In fact right now I just started Suite Francaise.
I do not seem to be the only one reading this genre either. Even the generation who experienced the war first hand are inhaling this genre and setting. So what makes us attracted to this genre? I think it may be two fold. The first being that the setting itself makes it easier to develop a story of self discover and love. It has been done many times before –we know the story already. But at the same time with so many places and people and cultures that it is a different story every time.
But I think the most compelling reason we’re drinking it in is that it enables us to remember the past and still be distant; plus it allows us to relate a little to the wars our nations are currently in.
We understand the need to learn and know the past but we find it difficult to read the history books-it can be dull and political. But as humans we are social and compassionate and connect through relationships. As such, reading historical fiction set in WWII allows us to connect and we think we learn to understand, remember, learn and grow all while being entertained. It’s amazing this power of literature, isn’t it?
But does that mean historical fiction is the best way to learn about our past? Of course not. In fact, I would be inclined to lean towards the argument that historical fiction for those not also watching History TV, researching online, reading the history books or at least discussing the book's content is actually going to contribute to the ignorance around the subject. Why? Because you feel like you know what happened and you’re beginning to understand the time but that likely isn’t true. Our emotions are more powerful than our knowledge.
In historical fiction authors can take license to change facts to work with their story. Without research, or at least discussion, as a reader you do not know where that line is, it may be in dates, times, locations, or concept that has been changed to fit the story.
Lets look at an example, The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Doyle. This is a short children’s novel but one of my favorite WWII fiction books. Why? Because it moved me in a way that books seldom do. It made me feel for the Jews but also for the innocence of German children too. It made me wonder what it would’ve been like to be a German child during WWII. The most moving moments connect me to the present and the last couple of pages will resonate with me for a long time.
Despite my love for this book, I know that it is reported to be quite historically incorrect. First, there is the constant misunderstanding of German words and terms by the little boy whom the author claims only speaks German, the fact that they killed children at concentration camps so Schmuel would never have lived, or the fact the real fence around Auschwitz was electrified making a key plot moment impossible. The inaccuracy of Doyle’s portrayal of the maturity of 8 & 12 year old children is actually quite bad and leads to a lot of the complaints about the book. These issues really only scratches the surface, but it does prove my point.
After reading this book I feel like I understood a little more about what Jewish people went through in Auschwitz and particularly Jewish children. This is absolutely not the case based on what I just said above. Until reading up on it I was still entirely ignorant to the facts. And had I not heard so many complaints after I had read it I never would have looked up the facts. I thought I understood thanks to this book, but in fact I did not.
While emotions are often more powerful than knowledge the best and most comprehensive understanding- the one that can break the ignorance- is a combination of compassion and knowledge. Feel like you understand but read the facts too so you really do understand.
Does this mean we’re better off without historical fiction- NO! It is good to feel compassion. That is useful in other ways. Historical fiction can also lead a person to the historical facts (as it did me in the case of Stripped Pajamas). It is an introduction and it is great entertainment. I would just argue that people need to remind themselves it is just fiction.
To end this already lengthy post here are some of my favorite WWII historical fiction:
1. Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Doyle
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society
3. The Postmistress
4. Suite francaise (likely, I’m only 20 pages in).
5. Atonement
6. The Great Escape
7. Sarah’s Key
Ones I haven’t read yet but suspect I will love:
8. Five Quarters of the of the Orange
9. The Kindly Ones
10. The Book Thief
11. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
12. The Reader
13. The Madonnas of Leningrad
14. A woman in Berlin
15. Those Who Save Us
16. Cutting for stone
Monday, July 5, 2010
Cherished Books
Reading grows with the reader. From a child you move from picture books, to I Can Read books, to your first chapter books, to small novels, and slowly into the genres we enjoy be they fiction or non. As your comprehension skills improve, as your life experiences change so does a person’s reading. But even as we move forward readers tend to have favorite books in the same way we have other favorite memories from our past. Perhaps they link us to a favorite time, a favorite person; or maybe they changed the way we looked at the world. It is the power of literature –to teach me, to grow with me, to remind me and link me all while allowing me to escape that causes us to love reading. It is the connection. So with that in mind, here are my most cherished books:
The books that mean the most to me:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. Sweet Valley Twins: A Christmas without Elizabeth
3. Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
4. Shakespeare’s Sonnets
5. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
I cannot explain in one post the reasons why they are all here in detail, so I will just summarize quickly. To start with all of these books are nostalgically connected to my past. For me, three of them, Little Women, Sweet Valley and Shakespeare, symbolize the power of literature to make a person feel and learn about the world around them even though you are reading fiction.
I will say, if I had my choice, Fear & Loathing wouldn’t be on the list. However, it is on there because it is the book that I recommended to a perfect stranger despite never having read it before. Later the stranger called me to borrow it (apparently I gave him the impression I owned it??!! I had to run to Chapters to buy it, beat it up so it looked like I had actually read it, so I could lend it to him). And later yet, the stranger became my husband. Had I known this, I 100% would’ve chosen a different book. Bah! What kind of romantic book geek story does that make when that is the title?
But of all of them Little Women is the one I keep going back to. I mentioned before that I read and reread Little Women and get something new out of it every time. My first memory of Little Women was the copy that was on my mother’s book shelf when I was a girl. I wasn’t allowed to touch it. I knew her grandmother had given it to her. It was beat up and well read even then. I don’t remember when, but one day I wanted that story instead of a night time story and she began reading that to me at nights. I really have no idea if we ever read the whole thing or whether I actually understood it, but I remember having my own edition by grade three. I remember re reading it in grade 5 and wanting to be exactly like Josephine and thinking my first crush was exactly like Laurie so why on earth didn’t Jo choose him?! It was very much a love story. In Jr. High it was a book of women’s rights. Jo could make her own choices, do her own thing, despite the norms and expectations around her-why couldn’t I? That message continues to resonate with me to this day. I have taken further messages from the book: more on the strength of women together and as individuals, of civil war history, of philosophy, of love, and so much more. I’ve wanted Beth and Marmie’s goodness, I sympathized with Aimee and Meg, I wanted to be (and often continue to want to be) Jo. I still have a crush on dear Laurie. And I never liked Aunt March though I now understand why she was the way she was. It is a book for anyone old or young and I look forward to the day I have a child to share it with.
And if you haven't ever read it, of all of the books on this list, I recommend that you do.
The books that mean the most to me:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. Sweet Valley Twins: A Christmas without Elizabeth
3. Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
4. Shakespeare’s Sonnets
5. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
I cannot explain in one post the reasons why they are all here in detail, so I will just summarize quickly. To start with all of these books are nostalgically connected to my past. For me, three of them, Little Women, Sweet Valley and Shakespeare, symbolize the power of literature to make a person feel and learn about the world around them even though you are reading fiction.
I will say, if I had my choice, Fear & Loathing wouldn’t be on the list. However, it is on there because it is the book that I recommended to a perfect stranger despite never having read it before. Later the stranger called me to borrow it (apparently I gave him the impression I owned it??!! I had to run to Chapters to buy it, beat it up so it looked like I had actually read it, so I could lend it to him). And later yet, the stranger became my husband. Had I known this, I 100% would’ve chosen a different book. Bah! What kind of romantic book geek story does that make when that is the title?
But of all of them Little Women is the one I keep going back to. I mentioned before that I read and reread Little Women and get something new out of it every time. My first memory of Little Women was the copy that was on my mother’s book shelf when I was a girl. I wasn’t allowed to touch it. I knew her grandmother had given it to her. It was beat up and well read even then. I don’t remember when, but one day I wanted that story instead of a night time story and she began reading that to me at nights. I really have no idea if we ever read the whole thing or whether I actually understood it, but I remember having my own edition by grade three. I remember re reading it in grade 5 and wanting to be exactly like Josephine and thinking my first crush was exactly like Laurie so why on earth didn’t Jo choose him?! It was very much a love story. In Jr. High it was a book of women’s rights. Jo could make her own choices, do her own thing, despite the norms and expectations around her-why couldn’t I? That message continues to resonate with me to this day. I have taken further messages from the book: more on the strength of women together and as individuals, of civil war history, of philosophy, of love, and so much more. I’ve wanted Beth and Marmie’s goodness, I sympathized with Aimee and Meg, I wanted to be (and often continue to want to be) Jo. I still have a crush on dear Laurie. And I never liked Aunt March though I now understand why she was the way she was. It is a book for anyone old or young and I look forward to the day I have a child to share it with.
And if you haven't ever read it, of all of the books on this list, I recommend that you do.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Today in the world of literature...
Today in the world of literature –The Book and Brier Patch in Regina, Saskatchewan announced it will be closing its doors July 31st. This will be sad day. The Book and Brier is Regina’s largest independent book store. An icon for independent business. And yet, succumbed, like many, to the big box stores and online shopping. An interesting thought that he mentions is that the ebook was also part of his demise. Keep this in mind because I would like to discuss the ebook one of these days. The full article is here:
Now if you weren’t familiar with the Book & Brier it was a quirky place that held great events for Saskatchewan and Canadian authors. I have been to several book launches there and also hung out in their coffee shop often as a university student. They had a great selection of unique books great for gifts and puzzles and board games. It will be sadly missed. I am happy to hear though that they will continue to provide service to schools. They were a great supplier of Canadian books to meet school curriculum.
In addition to this news, I also have other news- I read my first fantasy book outside of CS Lewis and JK Rowling. For those that do not know me, I have a hard time with the fantasy genre. I like some science fiction but I cannot seem to get into the fantasy realm.
My husband likes it, though he’s more into historical fiction. But he has all of the David Eddings books sitting on our book shelf and still gets cranky when you mentioned that he died without finishing his series last summer. I have tried to pick those books up several times but can’t get my head around the maps that introduce the book so I don’t even make it to the story.
I also do not find myself drawn in by the cover art. I know, I know, don’t judge a book by its cover- but lets face it, we do. Remember, I read Blink. And dragons and wizards and dark oranges, greens and blues do not attract me in that way at all.
I like a story grounded in reality with a little bit of fantasy sure- romance, magic realism- something to make the book seem magical, but it cannot be set in a magical world. I find myself hunting for plot holes. Even in my beloved Harry Potter I do this.
I had tried several times to read JRR Tolkien. And I never made it past the first couple of chapters. I can’t even make it through the movies without falling asleep. But last week I picked up a Fantasy novel, borrowed from a friend, and decided to have one last try. My friend explained that since meeting me she had been opened up to a whole new world of books outside her limited fantasy and midevil fiction. She argued that it was her turn to reciprocate and that I should read something she liked. So she provided me with a copy of Piers Anthony’s A Spell for Chameleon. And last night, I finished it.
So, the verdict? It was fun in the way the cutesy creatures can be in Harry Potter. But my problem was with the protagonist, Bink. The “evil magician Trent” was relatively well developed though it would’ve been nice to see more of his back story, but Bink was awful. How cheap of an author to be in a whole realm of magic and choose luck to be the magic of your lead character? Bink was honorable, admirable and all things a strong protagonist in a quest plot should be. But his most important characteristic is luck. They call it something else and I can’t really explain it further as it ruins the end of the book, but it was cheap and completely turned me off.
The writing was also awkward near the end. Throughout the book is this mild tone but near the end, where the plot only sort of thickens, there is suddenly minor curses and direct vulgar language instead of the innuendo used throughout the novel. It makes it seem out of place and awkward. Again, like the author was too lazy to develop the details to show the emotional change and intensity of the situation and instead resorted to cursing. Know that I don’t get offended by that kind of stuff, I just find it cheap that the author chose that route.
Now, in my friend’s defense, she warned me this was a “fluff” book. Books that are light and fluffy like meringue are fine. Everyone needs like reading. And if I would have been in junior high again I likely would’ve enjoyed it. But this was beyond fluff.
So I guess after that diatribe I have realized that fantasy isn’t so bad, but this book was. And I would probably give another author another shot sometime, but maybe there really is a genre out there I won’t read.
So if any of you are Fantasy fans, why do you read this stuff? What am I missing?
Lastly, I know I said there were three lists. And there are, but I got side tracked with the closing of the Brier and with the ending of my first fantasy novel. I should also tell you that I leave tomorrow for a couple of days. When I get back I will share the list of my most cherished books and get on with discussing books with you.
Thank you to the earlier followers of the blog, it means a lot! And I hope today wasn’t too much of an ill written rant that it turns you off. It was a quick entry. Happy Canada Day on Thursday and I will probably post again Saturday!
Now if you weren’t familiar with the Book & Brier it was a quirky place that held great events for Saskatchewan and Canadian authors. I have been to several book launches there and also hung out in their coffee shop often as a university student. They had a great selection of unique books great for gifts and puzzles and board games. It will be sadly missed. I am happy to hear though that they will continue to provide service to schools. They were a great supplier of Canadian books to meet school curriculum.
In addition to this news, I also have other news- I read my first fantasy book outside of CS Lewis and JK Rowling. For those that do not know me, I have a hard time with the fantasy genre. I like some science fiction but I cannot seem to get into the fantasy realm.
My husband likes it, though he’s more into historical fiction. But he has all of the David Eddings books sitting on our book shelf and still gets cranky when you mentioned that he died without finishing his series last summer. I have tried to pick those books up several times but can’t get my head around the maps that introduce the book so I don’t even make it to the story.
I also do not find myself drawn in by the cover art. I know, I know, don’t judge a book by its cover- but lets face it, we do. Remember, I read Blink. And dragons and wizards and dark oranges, greens and blues do not attract me in that way at all.
I like a story grounded in reality with a little bit of fantasy sure- romance, magic realism- something to make the book seem magical, but it cannot be set in a magical world. I find myself hunting for plot holes. Even in my beloved Harry Potter I do this.
I had tried several times to read JRR Tolkien. And I never made it past the first couple of chapters. I can’t even make it through the movies without falling asleep. But last week I picked up a Fantasy novel, borrowed from a friend, and decided to have one last try. My friend explained that since meeting me she had been opened up to a whole new world of books outside her limited fantasy and midevil fiction. She argued that it was her turn to reciprocate and that I should read something she liked. So she provided me with a copy of Piers Anthony’s A Spell for Chameleon. And last night, I finished it.
So, the verdict? It was fun in the way the cutesy creatures can be in Harry Potter. But my problem was with the protagonist, Bink. The “evil magician Trent” was relatively well developed though it would’ve been nice to see more of his back story, but Bink was awful. How cheap of an author to be in a whole realm of magic and choose luck to be the magic of your lead character? Bink was honorable, admirable and all things a strong protagonist in a quest plot should be. But his most important characteristic is luck. They call it something else and I can’t really explain it further as it ruins the end of the book, but it was cheap and completely turned me off.
The writing was also awkward near the end. Throughout the book is this mild tone but near the end, where the plot only sort of thickens, there is suddenly minor curses and direct vulgar language instead of the innuendo used throughout the novel. It makes it seem out of place and awkward. Again, like the author was too lazy to develop the details to show the emotional change and intensity of the situation and instead resorted to cursing. Know that I don’t get offended by that kind of stuff, I just find it cheap that the author chose that route.
Now, in my friend’s defense, she warned me this was a “fluff” book. Books that are light and fluffy like meringue are fine. Everyone needs like reading. And if I would have been in junior high again I likely would’ve enjoyed it. But this was beyond fluff.
So I guess after that diatribe I have realized that fantasy isn’t so bad, but this book was. And I would probably give another author another shot sometime, but maybe there really is a genre out there I won’t read.
So if any of you are Fantasy fans, why do you read this stuff? What am I missing?
Lastly, I know I said there were three lists. And there are, but I got side tracked with the closing of the Brier and with the ending of my first fantasy novel. I should also tell you that I leave tomorrow for a couple of days. When I get back I will share the list of my most cherished books and get on with discussing books with you.
Thank you to the earlier followers of the blog, it means a lot! And I hope today wasn’t too much of an ill written rant that it turns you off. It was a quick entry. Happy Canada Day on Thursday and I will probably post again Saturday!
Monday, June 28, 2010
2010 was made for laughing...
Great books I’ve read so far in 2010:
1. The Book of Negroes Illustrated Edition by Lawrence Hill
2. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. The Lamb, the Gospel According to Biff, Jesus Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
5. Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
6. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
7. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor Mcnees
8. March by Geraldine Brooks
The year 2010 seems to be the year I begin discovering literature I should’ve read forever ago. The most exciting so far has been my discovery of Christopher Moore. I was looking for a humorous book for the book club I lead at work and stumbled upon Christopher Moore. Now, I could never use him for the book club, but my goodness I think everyone should read either Fool or Lamb. Lamb is a parody of the bible. God has Biff resurrected to share his gospel because almost 30 years of Jesus’ life is missing from the bible. And well, according to Biff, while Jesus was miraculous he was also a typical teenage boy at times. A small warning that the humour can be crude. If you have a hard time thinking about Jesus as a boy going through puberty curious about sex, well, this may not be the book for you. Biff is obsessed with sex, and he is Jesus’ best friend. But there is actually a lot of good stuff in Lamb. Throughout most of the book Jesus needs to learn how to be the profit and goes on a journey to find the three wise men who attended his birth. Through them he learns meditation and Buddhism; he learns about demons and potions; he learns how to turn water into wine and a little bread into a lot. Parallels are drawn between the major world religions. There is actually a good philosophical discussion to be had on religion in this book and it is because of this that I do not think that Moore means to mock Christianity but make us think about Jesus in the context of the culture and world during that time, and in the context of religion and power. All with a great sense of humour too. Since reading Lamb I have read 2 more, with 2 more on the way. Fool is based off of Shakespeare’s King Lear and again leaves lots to be discussed if you’ve read the original work. The rest are what I consider “fluff” reads- good, but not much sustenance for thought or discussion, but he is still worth picking up.
The Help and The Book of Negroes were books that came out a while ago, that I was recommended over and over again, but just didn’t think they would be up to the hype. The Book of Negroes was a good story but what put it on my favorite for 2010 so far was the illustrated edition. The Illustrated edition has art, photographs of authentic items and maps that made it real and gave me goose bumps. With the overwhelming amount of historical fiction out there I always wonder where reality ended and the story began. The illustrated edition of Negroes means that I know. And it gave me the chills. It’s a heart wrenching story. The Help is another historical fiction studying the African American culture, this time long after the slave trade. Set in the 1950s this book follows a couple of African American house maids and a upper class white girl who just doesn’t fit in. It is wonderfully written from several viewpoints and I could not put it down.
Obviously, my love of Little Women and really, all things Louisa May Alcott had me reading spin offs this year. I usually refrain from spin offs-except Austen spin offs, they’re too fun- but March has won the Pulitzer Prize. A spin off winning such a significant award? I had to read it! And it was fantastic. It was gritty, it was real in a way Little Women never was. It was the type of civil war novel I would recommend to my husband even. And The Forgotten Summer was a new book based on Ms. Alcott’s life. If you don’t read biographies this is a great way to get to know Ms. Alcott while still feeling like you’re reading a good romance. Much of the book is accurate to Ms. Alcott’s life; the liberty has been taken in the romance. A fun book for any Women fan.
2010, so far, has not been a year of “heavy reading” where I’ve discovered life changing literature that makes me truly think about the substance of the world around me. Most of it has been entertaining more than thought provoking. Watermark can be added to that list. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a good book. I can see anyone wanting a less violent and less lengthy version of Pillars of the Earth enjoying this. Set in the 13th century the story follows the struggle of an albino girl who seeks protection from the Inquisition. The more interesting part of this novel comes from the education on the paper industry. Paper was just being invented and developed as an alternative to parchment, which I will admit I had no idea was originally out of animal hide. This story is also heavy on the love story as the protagonist’s sister and father try and marry her off for her protection while she wants to marry for love.
Lastly, there is the non fiction that made my top 2010 list. I know, I know, I was really slow getting to Blink when Mr. Gladwell has made such a niche for himself in the non fiction world for writing an easy to understand non fiction. But, I will confess, I don’t read as much non fiction as I used to. Most of 2009 was spent in the world of fiction. But Blink is fascinating. I didn’t imagine that his study of our decision making could lead in so many directions, though I really should have. What put it on my top 2010 was the discovery I felt reading it. I just simply had no idea, and, it was that easy to understand.
What I am sure you are to discover about me is that I am chalk full of contradictions. I really dislike how consumer marketing and pop culture have gone far beyond their intended boundaries to influence every aspect of our daily lives. And yet I watch reality TV, read People magazine (on occasion), eat processed foods, live on debt to keep up with the Jones’, and make decisions based entirely on wants, not what is best for me, those around me or the environment. And I complain all the while. So when I read non fiction it is usually to give myself a wake up call. Now, Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs didn’t do this but what makes it great is that it did get me thinking about how much thought actually goes into the ways we are manipulated as a society-without even knowing it. The essays themselves are light, and funny and occasionally educating. Often, the essays are rants more than discussions; and occasionally they’re completely out to lunch (there is one where Klosterman attempts to compare the movies Vanilla Sky and The Matrix and I gave up on it halfway through). But put them all together and you have a funny book that paints the picture how far back popular culture started taking over our life and in some ways it shows us how much of our minds we’ve lost. The book made my top 2010 because of its contradictions, because of its title, and because it made me laugh.
1. The Book of Negroes Illustrated Edition by Lawrence Hill
2. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. The Lamb, the Gospel According to Biff, Jesus Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
5. Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
6. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
7. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor Mcnees
8. March by Geraldine Brooks
The year 2010 seems to be the year I begin discovering literature I should’ve read forever ago. The most exciting so far has been my discovery of Christopher Moore. I was looking for a humorous book for the book club I lead at work and stumbled upon Christopher Moore. Now, I could never use him for the book club, but my goodness I think everyone should read either Fool or Lamb. Lamb is a parody of the bible. God has Biff resurrected to share his gospel because almost 30 years of Jesus’ life is missing from the bible. And well, according to Biff, while Jesus was miraculous he was also a typical teenage boy at times. A small warning that the humour can be crude. If you have a hard time thinking about Jesus as a boy going through puberty curious about sex, well, this may not be the book for you. Biff is obsessed with sex, and he is Jesus’ best friend. But there is actually a lot of good stuff in Lamb. Throughout most of the book Jesus needs to learn how to be the profit and goes on a journey to find the three wise men who attended his birth. Through them he learns meditation and Buddhism; he learns about demons and potions; he learns how to turn water into wine and a little bread into a lot. Parallels are drawn between the major world religions. There is actually a good philosophical discussion to be had on religion in this book and it is because of this that I do not think that Moore means to mock Christianity but make us think about Jesus in the context of the culture and world during that time, and in the context of religion and power. All with a great sense of humour too. Since reading Lamb I have read 2 more, with 2 more on the way. Fool is based off of Shakespeare’s King Lear and again leaves lots to be discussed if you’ve read the original work. The rest are what I consider “fluff” reads- good, but not much sustenance for thought or discussion, but he is still worth picking up.
The Help and The Book of Negroes were books that came out a while ago, that I was recommended over and over again, but just didn’t think they would be up to the hype. The Book of Negroes was a good story but what put it on my favorite for 2010 so far was the illustrated edition. The Illustrated edition has art, photographs of authentic items and maps that made it real and gave me goose bumps. With the overwhelming amount of historical fiction out there I always wonder where reality ended and the story began. The illustrated edition of Negroes means that I know. And it gave me the chills. It’s a heart wrenching story. The Help is another historical fiction studying the African American culture, this time long after the slave trade. Set in the 1950s this book follows a couple of African American house maids and a upper class white girl who just doesn’t fit in. It is wonderfully written from several viewpoints and I could not put it down.
Obviously, my love of Little Women and really, all things Louisa May Alcott had me reading spin offs this year. I usually refrain from spin offs-except Austen spin offs, they’re too fun- but March has won the Pulitzer Prize. A spin off winning such a significant award? I had to read it! And it was fantastic. It was gritty, it was real in a way Little Women never was. It was the type of civil war novel I would recommend to my husband even. And The Forgotten Summer was a new book based on Ms. Alcott’s life. If you don’t read biographies this is a great way to get to know Ms. Alcott while still feeling like you’re reading a good romance. Much of the book is accurate to Ms. Alcott’s life; the liberty has been taken in the romance. A fun book for any Women fan.
2010, so far, has not been a year of “heavy reading” where I’ve discovered life changing literature that makes me truly think about the substance of the world around me. Most of it has been entertaining more than thought provoking. Watermark can be added to that list. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a good book. I can see anyone wanting a less violent and less lengthy version of Pillars of the Earth enjoying this. Set in the 13th century the story follows the struggle of an albino girl who seeks protection from the Inquisition. The more interesting part of this novel comes from the education on the paper industry. Paper was just being invented and developed as an alternative to parchment, which I will admit I had no idea was originally out of animal hide. This story is also heavy on the love story as the protagonist’s sister and father try and marry her off for her protection while she wants to marry for love.
Lastly, there is the non fiction that made my top 2010 list. I know, I know, I was really slow getting to Blink when Mr. Gladwell has made such a niche for himself in the non fiction world for writing an easy to understand non fiction. But, I will confess, I don’t read as much non fiction as I used to. Most of 2009 was spent in the world of fiction. But Blink is fascinating. I didn’t imagine that his study of our decision making could lead in so many directions, though I really should have. What put it on my top 2010 was the discovery I felt reading it. I just simply had no idea, and, it was that easy to understand.
What I am sure you are to discover about me is that I am chalk full of contradictions. I really dislike how consumer marketing and pop culture have gone far beyond their intended boundaries to influence every aspect of our daily lives. And yet I watch reality TV, read People magazine (on occasion), eat processed foods, live on debt to keep up with the Jones’, and make decisions based entirely on wants, not what is best for me, those around me or the environment. And I complain all the while. So when I read non fiction it is usually to give myself a wake up call. Now, Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs didn’t do this but what makes it great is that it did get me thinking about how much thought actually goes into the ways we are manipulated as a society-without even knowing it. The essays themselves are light, and funny and occasionally educating. Often, the essays are rants more than discussions; and occasionally they’re completely out to lunch (there is one where Klosterman attempts to compare the movies Vanilla Sky and The Matrix and I gave up on it halfway through). But put them all together and you have a funny book that paints the picture how far back popular culture started taking over our life and in some ways it shows us how much of our minds we’ve lost. The book made my top 2010 because of its contradictions, because of its title, and because it made me laugh.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Getting to know me, getting to know all about me...
I don’t even remember where these song lyrics come from, but I do know they are somewhere from my childhood. And I think they’re appropriate for today because why would you read my blog if you don’t know anything about me.
So here it goes: The first thing you should know about me is I have blue eyes always covered by glasses. Glasses are the best fashion accessory a pasty pale white girl with blond hair can have-they bring colour to my face! Why that was important to know I do not know, but it is fundamental of who I am. I also love Hippos.
The third thing you should know is relevant-I really don’t like being asked what my favorite book is. What types of books, what are my favorites and why, those questions are OK. But many people ask what you favorite book is and expect a short, one title answer and that frustrates me for several reasons. First, I have too many favorites for completely different reasons. Second, I read so much my opinion often changes. Also, the one book that tops several of my “favorite lists” I don’t think represents me well to people who don’t know me. What is this book do you ask? Ha! You are going to have to wait to find out. Why? Because I enjoy discussing favorites as it allows people to get to know each other and what and why they read, of course!
And if I want a two way dialogue for this blog it is important we know about the types of books we like and about who we are. With that in mind, over the next 3 days I am going to make my first posts “favorites” lists. My Favorite books to read & re read; my favorite books thus far of 2010, and the books I cherish. And most importantly, I am going to explain why they’re my favorites. Hopefully you’ll find a new read and you will find out a little bit more about me.
I would love for you to post your favorites in the comment section so I can get to know you too!
My favorite books to read and reread:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. All Harry Potter books by J K Rowling.
3. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Wollstonecraft
All of these books share the ability to make me escape into a world I want to live in. They are packed full of tradition and expectations (maybe with the exception of Harry Potter) that I often wish would limit me, allowing me to focus my life. I am not an organized person. I dabble in everything. I think that is why I love to read. I can read one book and move on to something 100% different and still say reading is my hobby. This is different from say, my love for music- one day I am a singer the next I’m trying to teach myself piano and the next I’ve just settled on Wii Rockband (I own all Rockband renditions for Wii). The romanticized idea of limited choices is actually appealing, though I would be beyond frustrated to actually live under those conditions. Which leads into my next reason I love rereading these books.
All of these novels also are heavy on the strength of a woman. Yes, I am a feminist. And the F word is not a bad thing. It means I believe in strong women. It means I support their rights to equality, representation and choice. I know few women in this day and age who are not feminists, though I doubt they would ever call themselves that. And while many of you may question how Frankenstein has women’s rights, it is more in the author. I love Mary Shelley Wollstonecraft. She was independent; she wrote this story as a challenge among men and she is also the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote the Vindication on the Rights of Women.
I love re-reading these books because every time I do I get something new out of them. When I was a girl, Little Women was just a playful and adventurous story. As a teen it was a love story. Today, it is a discussion of women’s rights, of choice, of work and social ethics-so much of which can still apply today. Harry Potter series was a children’s fantasy, playful fluff; then it was a study of good versus evil; then the background for literary pop culture and the power of child marketing. Like Water for Chocolate was a love story steeped full of my favorite things- tradition & foods; then it was a university text that opened up my eyes to Hispanic history, magic realism, and more.
They of course all have well developed plots and characters because otherwise they wouldn’t be good stories that envelope me like they do. But above all else what I love about these books is that when I close them after the last page they make me reflect on the world around me today. Frankenstein particularly. Everything was fictitious when Ms. Wollstonecraft wrote it. It was a pure horror fantasy. But today, in the science fields, they talk of Frankenstein mythology and ethics. We now have the science to do exactly what Dr. Frankenstein did, which opens a whole new level of discussion when reading the book, and is a great example of how we can learn from the classics, even if it was in a way different from the author’s intention. Pride & Prejudice and Little Women make me think about social culture and women’s status today-how far we’ve come; how far we, in some ways, still have to go.
These books represent the best of why I love to read-the ability to escape and learn at the same time. To journey while staying on my couch with my dogs curled up on my legs but when the story is done, to feel empowered and inspired in some way to get off of that couch and make the world a better place.
So here it goes: The first thing you should know about me is I have blue eyes always covered by glasses. Glasses are the best fashion accessory a pasty pale white girl with blond hair can have-they bring colour to my face! Why that was important to know I do not know, but it is fundamental of who I am. I also love Hippos.
The third thing you should know is relevant-I really don’t like being asked what my favorite book is. What types of books, what are my favorites and why, those questions are OK. But many people ask what you favorite book is and expect a short, one title answer and that frustrates me for several reasons. First, I have too many favorites for completely different reasons. Second, I read so much my opinion often changes. Also, the one book that tops several of my “favorite lists” I don’t think represents me well to people who don’t know me. What is this book do you ask? Ha! You are going to have to wait to find out. Why? Because I enjoy discussing favorites as it allows people to get to know each other and what and why they read, of course!
And if I want a two way dialogue for this blog it is important we know about the types of books we like and about who we are. With that in mind, over the next 3 days I am going to make my first posts “favorites” lists. My Favorite books to read & re read; my favorite books thus far of 2010, and the books I cherish. And most importantly, I am going to explain why they’re my favorites. Hopefully you’ll find a new read and you will find out a little bit more about me.
I would love for you to post your favorites in the comment section so I can get to know you too!
My favorite books to read and reread:
1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. All Harry Potter books by J K Rowling.
3. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Wollstonecraft
All of these books share the ability to make me escape into a world I want to live in. They are packed full of tradition and expectations (maybe with the exception of Harry Potter) that I often wish would limit me, allowing me to focus my life. I am not an organized person. I dabble in everything. I think that is why I love to read. I can read one book and move on to something 100% different and still say reading is my hobby. This is different from say, my love for music- one day I am a singer the next I’m trying to teach myself piano and the next I’ve just settled on Wii Rockband (I own all Rockband renditions for Wii). The romanticized idea of limited choices is actually appealing, though I would be beyond frustrated to actually live under those conditions. Which leads into my next reason I love rereading these books.
All of these novels also are heavy on the strength of a woman. Yes, I am a feminist. And the F word is not a bad thing. It means I believe in strong women. It means I support their rights to equality, representation and choice. I know few women in this day and age who are not feminists, though I doubt they would ever call themselves that. And while many of you may question how Frankenstein has women’s rights, it is more in the author. I love Mary Shelley Wollstonecraft. She was independent; she wrote this story as a challenge among men and she is also the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote the Vindication on the Rights of Women.
I love re-reading these books because every time I do I get something new out of them. When I was a girl, Little Women was just a playful and adventurous story. As a teen it was a love story. Today, it is a discussion of women’s rights, of choice, of work and social ethics-so much of which can still apply today. Harry Potter series was a children’s fantasy, playful fluff; then it was a study of good versus evil; then the background for literary pop culture and the power of child marketing. Like Water for Chocolate was a love story steeped full of my favorite things- tradition & foods; then it was a university text that opened up my eyes to Hispanic history, magic realism, and more.
They of course all have well developed plots and characters because otherwise they wouldn’t be good stories that envelope me like they do. But above all else what I love about these books is that when I close them after the last page they make me reflect on the world around me today. Frankenstein particularly. Everything was fictitious when Ms. Wollstonecraft wrote it. It was a pure horror fantasy. But today, in the science fields, they talk of Frankenstein mythology and ethics. We now have the science to do exactly what Dr. Frankenstein did, which opens a whole new level of discussion when reading the book, and is a great example of how we can learn from the classics, even if it was in a way different from the author’s intention. Pride & Prejudice and Little Women make me think about social culture and women’s status today-how far we’ve come; how far we, in some ways, still have to go.
These books represent the best of why I love to read-the ability to escape and learn at the same time. To journey while staying on my couch with my dogs curled up on my legs but when the story is done, to feel empowered and inspired in some way to get off of that couch and make the world a better place.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The First Post..dah dah daaaaahhhhh...
I have always wanted a blog. It seemed fitting for someone who so willingly shares her opinion-asked for it or not. But I couldn't think of the right avenue. I knew it would be a hobby, an interest-but which one? I dabble in everything-politics, crafting, scrapbooking, baking, cooking. But then it made sense. What is the number one thing people ask me for in the first place? Duh-books! One of my most favorite things in life is to recommend a good book and have the person love it or hate it-as long as they felt something and was moved by the literature. That is, after all, why I read. I want to feel, I want to think, I want to escape. And I want you to feel, think & escape too.
And I am not doing this because I work in a library. In fact, I wonder if this breaks any kinda protocol??hmmm... Oh well if it does. I have been recommending books to people long before the library.
Anyway, the blog- yes, I am going to join the ranks of all of those other book blogs out there. But what shall be different? #1-its by me. #2, this blog will simply be books I have read that I think you will enjoy. It will be about books I love. Why I loved them. Why you should read them. But it isn't just about the books. Its about reading. It will dabble in my nostalgia for English Lit. classes, the book industry, and other literature related conundrums that I get into. I am sure at some point in time I will rant about my friends and family reading habits, about genres, about book art, about my loathing for all things Twilight and my love for all things Harry Potter. I am sure I'll discuss at least once my unhealthy love of children's literature despite not having kids and my love of hippos. All will be revealed in time.
So thanks for reading. Even if it is only once. And hopefully you'll follow me. I encourage you to ask me what you want to read. I will try to recommend. After all, that is what this blog is all about.
And I am not doing this because I work in a library. In fact, I wonder if this breaks any kinda protocol??hmmm... Oh well if it does. I have been recommending books to people long before the library.
Anyway, the blog- yes, I am going to join the ranks of all of those other book blogs out there. But what shall be different? #1-its by me. #2, this blog will simply be books I have read that I think you will enjoy. It will be about books I love. Why I loved them. Why you should read them. But it isn't just about the books. Its about reading. It will dabble in my nostalgia for English Lit. classes, the book industry, and other literature related conundrums that I get into. I am sure at some point in time I will rant about my friends and family reading habits, about genres, about book art, about my loathing for all things Twilight and my love for all things Harry Potter. I am sure I'll discuss at least once my unhealthy love of children's literature despite not having kids and my love of hippos. All will be revealed in time.
So thanks for reading. Even if it is only once. And hopefully you'll follow me. I encourage you to ask me what you want to read. I will try to recommend. After all, that is what this blog is all about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)