There are many of those types of things. Like my brother sitting down tonight with a Tupperware container full of meat and a glass of milk. I guess that's what you do when you are on Atkins. But he's not on Atkins. So there is that.
And then there's that time I was on the Metro in the D.C. and a man complimented my rather stylish purse. It's red and pretty and I always get compliments on it. However that was just a ruse, really, a segue if you will into a discussion of his shadowboxing relationship with God. I do mean that. He told me about how he shadowboxes with God. You can't make this stuff up, peeps! I can tell you, I did not see that coming for certain. Actually, I have this history with older men and bizarre conversations. One day, I will tell you the story of the old man, B&N, water, eggs, doctors, Communists, books and an explosion. It's a doozie folks, so you won't want to miss it. Maybe tomorrow. But not tonight.
Tonight I want to discuss something that is perplexing me quite a lot these days. So let's just cut to the chase. What is up with adult literature and sex? Hmmmm? Can you please explain it to me? Every time I pick up a piece of fiction written in the last five years for an adult audience, sex must come in to play at some point in the story. It must. If not, it must contain vulgarities, most expecially? The F-bomb. And I have to tell you, it makes me wonder.
Has adult literature devolved because people have devolved? And I wonder if we are all hormonal, sex-crazed teens who must have sex be a part of any and all entertainment options available. Otherwise it isn't worth our time?
Here is the irony. I have to go to the YA section of the lib or the bookstore to find literature that I feel okay about. That is unless, of course, I'm reading adult literature that was written in, oh, 1812. The irony being that the real sex-crazed teens (which I so totally don't buy that stereotype, really...at least not for the females, in any case) are not being subjected to the racy, tawdry, dare I say even disgusting or silly or ridiculous sex in novels.
I'm an adult. And I know that people have sex. I get it.
BUT!!! Rarely does sex advance a story line...at least not the types of stories that I read. For example, mystery/thrillers. Those are stories about killers on the loose. They are not about the lead character hooking up with his/her very hot sidekick, boss, partner, etc. and so forth. But I can't think of any recent mystery/thriller that does not contain sex, save perhaps Dan Brown, for the most part, I think. And that is just the mystery/thriller genre. There are several other genres. I read a lot. And I'm telling you, it is pretty pervasive.
It makes me go hmmmm. Have we so totally bought into this idea that sex sells or that it's so all encompassing (i.e. it is all human beings think about ever) that it must be in every story we read all the time? I mean it is all over, not just in books. Or has creativity run out to the point that we can't think of anything else, so we spice it up with sex and call it day and sell it to the fine folks of these United States? Maybe it's just me. However, I'm not so convinced that we must make everything soooooo sexay and naughtay in order for people to be interested.
Maybe writers should try to write a good story. Maybe that would work, instead of devolving to the lowest common denominator. Just a little thought.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Always Running...
I started running many moons ago. In college. I remember well my freshman year refusing to get anything but an A in P.E. So I had to run because in order to get an A you had to run a mile and a half in under twelve and a half minutes. Now here, I thought to myself, was a sure thing. Here I had much more than just a modicum of control over the outcome. I was going to get that A. And I did. Barely. With like seconds to spare. But I did.
Freshman year was also when I first experienced a second wind and a runner's high. I didn't know what a second wind was. Seriously. I'd heard the term, but I had no idea what that meant. And then I was running, and usually after about the second mile, maybe the third, I was tired and ready to be done. Well, I remember this one day when it was sort of cold out. I thought I'd give myself a full thirty minutes. And then when I reached about twenty-five or so, something weird happened. I could just keep going. I thought to myself, "Well that's strange, but it can't last too long." But it did. I didn't feel tired at all. I felt full of energy, like I could just go and go. I ran much more than thirty minutes that day. And that was the day that running and I were on. We weren't dating casually anymore. We had a thing.
And since then, running and me have had this on again/off again romance. I mean, when I'm into running, and running is into me, we do well together. But when we are off, and running betrays me, well, that means we'll be on a break for anywhere from a week to months and months. And maybe even a full year (okay so that was more me and my new boyfriend law school, and no so much running). Of course, in the end, law school and I were so over each other. So I hooked back up with running, and that's when things got good.
But here is the strange thing. I've been a treadmill runner for a long time. And me, the treadmill and running really get along. My time is much better when I'm on a treadmill and I feel like I could go forever. Seriously. Then, when I decide on fresh air and such, my running is not so great. Not so fast, no so energized. And I find myself wanting to quit mid-way through my runs.
How can I run for eight or nine miles on a treadmill and then get outside and want to quit after three or four? And why is it that when I do a short run, say four miles, on the treadmill, I can do it in about thirty-five or thirty-six minutes. Not too shabby for yours truly (I didn't say I was super speedy. Hey, I'm working on it!). But when I'm outside four miles can take from forty to forty-six, even forty-seven minutes. Today it was forty-two and I was super excited because that's my best time in the great out-of-doors in a loooooooooong time! Peeps...I do not understand it.
Everyone says the difference is something I've created in my head. I'm not sure. I'm running more outside than inside because I happen to heart the great out-of-doors with its fresh air and greenery and whatnot. I'm so not breaking up with running, but I swear, if we don't start getting along on these outside runs, there is going to be some serious drama in this relationship!
Freshman year was also when I first experienced a second wind and a runner's high. I didn't know what a second wind was. Seriously. I'd heard the term, but I had no idea what that meant. And then I was running, and usually after about the second mile, maybe the third, I was tired and ready to be done. Well, I remember this one day when it was sort of cold out. I thought I'd give myself a full thirty minutes. And then when I reached about twenty-five or so, something weird happened. I could just keep going. I thought to myself, "Well that's strange, but it can't last too long." But it did. I didn't feel tired at all. I felt full of energy, like I could just go and go. I ran much more than thirty minutes that day. And that was the day that running and I were on. We weren't dating casually anymore. We had a thing.
And since then, running and me have had this on again/off again romance. I mean, when I'm into running, and running is into me, we do well together. But when we are off, and running betrays me, well, that means we'll be on a break for anywhere from a week to months and months. And maybe even a full year (okay so that was more me and my new boyfriend law school, and no so much running). Of course, in the end, law school and I were so over each other. So I hooked back up with running, and that's when things got good.
But here is the strange thing. I've been a treadmill runner for a long time. And me, the treadmill and running really get along. My time is much better when I'm on a treadmill and I feel like I could go forever. Seriously. Then, when I decide on fresh air and such, my running is not so great. Not so fast, no so energized. And I find myself wanting to quit mid-way through my runs.
How can I run for eight or nine miles on a treadmill and then get outside and want to quit after three or four? And why is it that when I do a short run, say four miles, on the treadmill, I can do it in about thirty-five or thirty-six minutes. Not too shabby for yours truly (I didn't say I was super speedy. Hey, I'm working on it!). But when I'm outside four miles can take from forty to forty-six, even forty-seven minutes. Today it was forty-two and I was super excited because that's my best time in the great out-of-doors in a loooooooooong time! Peeps...I do not understand it.
Everyone says the difference is something I've created in my head. I'm not sure. I'm running more outside than inside because I happen to heart the great out-of-doors with its fresh air and greenery and whatnot. I'm so not breaking up with running, but I swear, if we don't start getting along on these outside runs, there is going to be some serious drama in this relationship!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Wisdom of Markus Zusak
Have you read The Book Thief? If you have not, I think you should. It's one of those books that you don't forget, you know? It's like this...I've read my fair share of Dan Brown and John Grisham. I enjoy both authors quite a lot. But if you ask me about their books, even a week after I've read them, I'd probably say hmmm. I don't remember a whole lot! It's just fun escapism, but it isn't really cerebral stuff.
Not so with The Book Thief. Trust me. You'll remember it. It makes the little wheels whirl around in your head. Which reminds me, I need to read more Zusak.
But this isn't a review of a book.
So a few days ago, a few of my very very very lucky friends in Utah got to see Mr. Zusak at the Provo Library. I so so so wish I could have been there. Sadly, I was not. I sort of have a little crush on him. He's absolutely adorable. But that isn't the point of this post, either.
Actually, Zusak said something during his speech. And it has me thinking. (Little disclaimer: this is via my friend Dawn, who happened to be there, so I'm not directly quoting Mr. Zusak, and any claim to the contrary will be firmly rebutted. Carry on.) This is what he said, in essence, according to Dawn. In order to be a writer, you have to make it a top priority in your life. As in first or maybe second priority. What does that mean, as far as priorities are concerned? Well, he said that rewrote the beginning of The Book Thief hundreds of times. Hundreds of times? Wow! He tried to work the voice from various angles and had, at one point, abandoned Death as a narrator. But he came back to that after trying on various voices.
Huh.
And of course that has me thinking.
What am I willing to sacrifice? There are moments in your life when you make a decision, a conscious decision, to change your priorities so that you can have something that you really want.
Alright, so here comes a long aside, that actually has everything to do with what I am awakening to here. So stick it out with me!
There was a time when I was in college and I wasn't getting the best of grades. I met a girl at work, and I'm ashamed to say this, but I thought she was sort of ditzy because she laughed all the time and joked a lot, and so I just knew I was smarter than her. I cringe at my pride and childishness. Because as it turns out, she was very smart and her grades were far better than mine. She had been attending UVSC before BYU. Again, I thought I was smarter. Turns out she had attended an excellent university in another state but had moved to Provo last minute. Of course, she could have gone to BYU had she known she was coming and met the deadline for applications. Instead she chose to continue school at a community college. How smart is she? Very very very smart!
Again, for me the hubris. I was such a hypocrite. Really. I was barely eking out Cs and Bs. I even made this lame excuse to my dad that I just wasn't that smart. Ugh. So here I was saying I wasn't smart, but then I was also judging other people and claiming that my intellect was so superior. So who was the dumb one? Me...dingdingding!
Anyway, we became good friends, and I realized I was not giving college the effort I should have been. Instead, I was choosing different priorities and making excuses rather than facing what it was I needed to do to be a good student. Because of her example, I made a change. My grades improved greatly. All thanks to her and her example. I'm grateful for the blessing, even though I did not deserve such a blessing. And I learned two things. First, don't be judgy! Duh!
Second, either you make excuses. OR...you work. You shift around your priorities. The thing is, I still had a great social life. I actually had a better social life. I had good grades. My life was better balanced than it had been in a very long time.
And so I have to really consider what Zusak said. Writing is work. Sure it is creative and fun. But not always. If I want to write a book, I have to ask myself if I am willing to work that hard at it. Am I willing to rewrite pieces of it hundreds of times? Am I willing to sit down and outline it and then adjust that outline over and over again? Am I willing to experiment and write from different voices, even if it means an entire rewrite of a novel? Am I? Am I really willing to give it a full year and all the attention I have? If so, great. Then it is time I do this. If not, it is time to let it go.
It's a public commitment to make. I'm saying I am ready. Now. It is time for it to be a priority. I've been thinking about this since I was very very young. I don't want to live my life wondering if I could have done it. The regret would be too much. I have too much regret as it is. I can't let this be another on that list. I'm ready to make it a priority. Number one or number two. Top. On the list.
Not so with The Book Thief. Trust me. You'll remember it. It makes the little wheels whirl around in your head. Which reminds me, I need to read more Zusak.
But this isn't a review of a book.
So a few days ago, a few of my very very very lucky friends in Utah got to see Mr. Zusak at the Provo Library. I so so so wish I could have been there. Sadly, I was not. I sort of have a little crush on him. He's absolutely adorable. But that isn't the point of this post, either.
Actually, Zusak said something during his speech. And it has me thinking. (Little disclaimer: this is via my friend Dawn, who happened to be there, so I'm not directly quoting Mr. Zusak, and any claim to the contrary will be firmly rebutted. Carry on.) This is what he said, in essence, according to Dawn. In order to be a writer, you have to make it a top priority in your life. As in first or maybe second priority. What does that mean, as far as priorities are concerned? Well, he said that rewrote the beginning of The Book Thief hundreds of times. Hundreds of times? Wow! He tried to work the voice from various angles and had, at one point, abandoned Death as a narrator. But he came back to that after trying on various voices.
Huh.
And of course that has me thinking.
What am I willing to sacrifice? There are moments in your life when you make a decision, a conscious decision, to change your priorities so that you can have something that you really want.
Alright, so here comes a long aside, that actually has everything to do with what I am awakening to here. So stick it out with me!
There was a time when I was in college and I wasn't getting the best of grades. I met a girl at work, and I'm ashamed to say this, but I thought she was sort of ditzy because she laughed all the time and joked a lot, and so I just knew I was smarter than her. I cringe at my pride and childishness. Because as it turns out, she was very smart and her grades were far better than mine. She had been attending UVSC before BYU. Again, I thought I was smarter. Turns out she had attended an excellent university in another state but had moved to Provo last minute. Of course, she could have gone to BYU had she known she was coming and met the deadline for applications. Instead she chose to continue school at a community college. How smart is she? Very very very smart!
Again, for me the hubris. I was such a hypocrite. Really. I was barely eking out Cs and Bs. I even made this lame excuse to my dad that I just wasn't that smart. Ugh. So here I was saying I wasn't smart, but then I was also judging other people and claiming that my intellect was so superior. So who was the dumb one? Me...dingdingding!
Anyway, we became good friends, and I realized I was not giving college the effort I should have been. Instead, I was choosing different priorities and making excuses rather than facing what it was I needed to do to be a good student. Because of her example, I made a change. My grades improved greatly. All thanks to her and her example. I'm grateful for the blessing, even though I did not deserve such a blessing. And I learned two things. First, don't be judgy! Duh!
Second, either you make excuses. OR...you work. You shift around your priorities. The thing is, I still had a great social life. I actually had a better social life. I had good grades. My life was better balanced than it had been in a very long time.
And so I have to really consider what Zusak said. Writing is work. Sure it is creative and fun. But not always. If I want to write a book, I have to ask myself if I am willing to work that hard at it. Am I willing to rewrite pieces of it hundreds of times? Am I willing to sit down and outline it and then adjust that outline over and over again? Am I willing to experiment and write from different voices, even if it means an entire rewrite of a novel? Am I? Am I really willing to give it a full year and all the attention I have? If so, great. Then it is time I do this. If not, it is time to let it go.
It's a public commitment to make. I'm saying I am ready. Now. It is time for it to be a priority. I've been thinking about this since I was very very young. I don't want to live my life wondering if I could have done it. The regret would be too much. I have too much regret as it is. I can't let this be another on that list. I'm ready to make it a priority. Number one or number two. Top. On the list.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Oh Drat...and Bother!
Get ready folks. This review is a doozie. I told you about how excited I was for the book I just purchased (and you already know how I feel about purchasing books now!) The Wise Man's Fear was a bit of a let down in the end. But on with the review anyway.
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
It's never a good sign when you are in the midst of a book and you keep turning through chapters wondering to yourself, "I wonder when this part will end. Because surely it will get better after this." And the problem with The Wise Man's Fear is that this happened not once. Not twice. But three times. So what, you may say. Is that so many times? However, the book is almost 1,000 pages long!!! And when this happened, the boring bits were not just bits. They were hundreds(!!!) of pages.
It started off just fine. A bit of rehashing of Kvothe's life at the University. Three hundred pages go by. Kvothe must leave the University for a time, and so as a reader, I thought, "Great. Introduce some new settings and characters, and so forth." Sadly, Rothfuss should have stuck with the University. He was on solid ground there.
Let me break down my woes with this novel one by one.
#1. The story "developing" Kvothe's relationship with the Maer. Um...boring. No character development. No plot advancement. Well, okay, two things happen. Kvothe's mysterious aunt appears with a locked box. And that was clever enough. And Kvothe's money problems are solved. I have mixed feelings about this. I was sort of sick of the whole, "Oh no I'm so poor and what shall I do and I have to borrow from Devi again!" On the other hand, now he's almost wealthy. It's just a little too convenient for my taste. Of course, it is Kvothe's expertise in all things, and literally, I mean all things, that saves the Maer, and earns Kvothe his fortune, not to mention a fawning over that any sixteen-year-old child well deserves. Which leads me to...
#2. Kvothe's hubris was a minor issue to me in the last book, but I felt like there were enough moments of self-reflection to overcome his ego. Not so in installment two. Nope, not one whit of self-awareness. Just straight-up ego. All over the place. There is literally nothing Chuck Nor...oh, excuse me, I mean Kvothe can't do. Rothfuss tries to play it down. He attempts to make Kvothe seem humble. But his false sense of humility only serves to fan the flame that is rapidly growing into a conflagration of vanity. When there is no flaw in this very young hero, it makes it really really hard to swallow his tale. I almost felt as if I were talking to one of those young boys I used to teach who just had to impress everyone with how they were better at anything and everything that anyone and everyone else had ever taken on. So if you played basketball, they played better. If you were a musician, they played every instrument on the planet. Honestly, if you want your character to be relatable, the character has to be real. And at least in this book, Kvothe was not.
Moreover, Kvothe does not learn from mistakes. And yet he gets away with it. Most people learn not to touch a flame once they've been burnt. But he keeps antagonizing people that he knows he should not antagonize. It causes silly problems that do not develop the story. And so it is frustrating to watch. He seems so childish and yet he's perfect at everything. It just doesn't sit well with me. He's a walking contradiction (which I agree that most people are, in some way). But this contradiction goes too far. And it makes him just seem like the kind of guy I would go to any lengths to avoid.
#3. Running around after bandits... on a mission for the Maer to catch the thieves stealing taxes from the King. Detail after detail after detail of every little step taken in the forest. Every little fight started by a thug, Dedan. Every little movement, word or motion taught to Kvothe by Tempi, the great Adem mercenary. Just find the thieves den already and be done with it. Again, one-hundred-plus pages wasted to give one tiny important detail. One of the evil Chandrian lives and is out and about. Up to no good! What is his purpose in leading a den of thieves, you might ask. Good question. No closer to knowing that answer than I was after reading the first book. Hello...did you learn nothing from Lost??? You've got to give your audience something! I beg of you!!! But no. Sadly. There is nothing you can find on the Chandrian or the mysterious Amyr who may or may not be fighting said Chandrian. Wha???? So there's that boring bit.
#4. The Fae. Really? Hundreds of pages of yawns-ville. Seriously, folks, I do not get the point of this section. Rothfuss could have saved hundreds of pages of text and pared this down to something much more simple. I got a cloak or shaed and met this tree or Cthaeh. And I hooked up with a fairy who makes all men crazy for wanting her. I am Odysseus, however, and I got away successfully because of course, I bested that fairy and put her in her place, even though she's like 1,000 years old or whatever. Did I mention I'm like all of sixteen. Because I'm sixteen. I'm so awesome!
Oh, and BTW, I've been going on and on about how magic isn't really the HP kind of magic, but hey, why not a fairy and her magically making me this shaed and what not. I mean, my magic is super cool and real and all science and self-mastery and whatnot. So it's superior to that whole witch/wizard thing which is really just a lot of childish nonesuch! Adding in fairy magic, well, that isn't at all inconsistent with magic as it exists in these chronicles.
Hello! Am I the only one bugged by this? It's totally not in keeping with the way I saw Rothfuss's world. And I liked that about the story. Don't get me wrong, I love HP with all my heart. But this was different, and that's what I liked about it. The magic was mortal.
#5. The sex. Give me a break, please! I'll say this in Rothfuss's favor. It wasn't detailed. There were no racy, overt details. But I have a HUGE beef with casual sex. And it did not endear Kvothe to me anymore. So not only is he an egomaniac. He's a womanizer. Great! Now I love the guy.
#6. Ademre. BORING...surprise! More detail about Kvothe and how awesomely he handles all situations that arise. How he is so willing to sacrifice himself for a friend who is teaching him the Chinese art of Tai Ch...oh, I mean Ketan. Because the Ademre are blonde, folks...BLONDE! No Karate/Taekwondo here to see folks, just move it along. Of course, Kvothe masters yet another language and the ancient Chin...I mean Ademre art of the Lethani (fighting with honor and all that). He's humbled by being a barbarian among the civilized folks. He's barely able to best a ten year old who's not so good at Ketan but who can best an unbeatable tree with thousands of lethally sharp leaves. And seriously, again, what is up with so much detail?
And back to the casual sex. Only now, Kvothe is amongst the Ademre who are so advanced and who, of course, understand that sex has nothing(!!!) to do with being in love. Being as the Ademre are so civilized and what not. Of course, their casual sex does not lead to unwanted pregnancies or diseases. All because they are sooooo enlightened and don't believe that a man has anything to do with a woman's pregnancy. How convenient! I just say that casual sex has no adverse consequences. And it is so. GIVE ME A BREAK...I mean seriously.
#7. We get it. Edema Ruh are the greatest race that ever lived. They are masters of the stage. They are masters of music and poetry and all things art. They are the best...at everything. And the world is mistaken about how perfect a race they are. Did I mention that Kvothe is Edema born? Yes, Edema Ruh, that is. Because he is. Edema Ruh. So please please remember that. And that they are the best, at everything on the planet. Okay?
End of my "issues." And onto the bigger problem here. I'm invested enough from The Name of the Wind to want to know what is going to happen. But I'm afraid that Rothfuss is never going to deliver the goods. So far, he's failed to give us enough about the Chandrian, which is, correct me if I'm wrong, supposed to be the driving conflict of the story. Well, at this point, it isn't driving anything at all. And that is the problem. I can't decide if I keep reading on to the next book...whenever that may be coming out. (Maybe by then I'll have forgotten this experience.)
Upon further reflection, I have to say this. It really was okay, and some parts were better than that. I mean, it is 1,000 pages long and I did read the whole thing (although I may have been slightly skimming at some points and I wish I would have skimmed even more). But it is a let down from the past novel. I mean, he's told us who Kvothe is in The Name of the Wind. And I think that's why I'm sad about this book. I liked Kvothe. And now, not so much. I was excited to find out more about the mysterious Chandrian. Instead, I found out about boring fairies, boring royals, and the boring Ademre.
I'll cross my fingers and hope that the next installment is an improvement.
View all my reviews
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick RothfussMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
It's never a good sign when you are in the midst of a book and you keep turning through chapters wondering to yourself, "I wonder when this part will end. Because surely it will get better after this." And the problem with The Wise Man's Fear is that this happened not once. Not twice. But three times. So what, you may say. Is that so many times? However, the book is almost 1,000 pages long!!! And when this happened, the boring bits were not just bits. They were hundreds(!!!) of pages.
It started off just fine. A bit of rehashing of Kvothe's life at the University. Three hundred pages go by. Kvothe must leave the University for a time, and so as a reader, I thought, "Great. Introduce some new settings and characters, and so forth." Sadly, Rothfuss should have stuck with the University. He was on solid ground there.
Let me break down my woes with this novel one by one.
#1. The story "developing" Kvothe's relationship with the Maer. Um...boring. No character development. No plot advancement. Well, okay, two things happen. Kvothe's mysterious aunt appears with a locked box. And that was clever enough. And Kvothe's money problems are solved. I have mixed feelings about this. I was sort of sick of the whole, "Oh no I'm so poor and what shall I do and I have to borrow from Devi again!" On the other hand, now he's almost wealthy. It's just a little too convenient for my taste. Of course, it is Kvothe's expertise in all things, and literally, I mean all things, that saves the Maer, and earns Kvothe his fortune, not to mention a fawning over that any sixteen-year-old child well deserves. Which leads me to...
#2. Kvothe's hubris was a minor issue to me in the last book, but I felt like there were enough moments of self-reflection to overcome his ego. Not so in installment two. Nope, not one whit of self-awareness. Just straight-up ego. All over the place. There is literally nothing Chuck Nor...oh, excuse me, I mean Kvothe can't do. Rothfuss tries to play it down. He attempts to make Kvothe seem humble. But his false sense of humility only serves to fan the flame that is rapidly growing into a conflagration of vanity. When there is no flaw in this very young hero, it makes it really really hard to swallow his tale. I almost felt as if I were talking to one of those young boys I used to teach who just had to impress everyone with how they were better at anything and everything that anyone and everyone else had ever taken on. So if you played basketball, they played better. If you were a musician, they played every instrument on the planet. Honestly, if you want your character to be relatable, the character has to be real. And at least in this book, Kvothe was not.
Moreover, Kvothe does not learn from mistakes. And yet he gets away with it. Most people learn not to touch a flame once they've been burnt. But he keeps antagonizing people that he knows he should not antagonize. It causes silly problems that do not develop the story. And so it is frustrating to watch. He seems so childish and yet he's perfect at everything. It just doesn't sit well with me. He's a walking contradiction (which I agree that most people are, in some way). But this contradiction goes too far. And it makes him just seem like the kind of guy I would go to any lengths to avoid.
#3. Running around after bandits... on a mission for the Maer to catch the thieves stealing taxes from the King. Detail after detail after detail of every little step taken in the forest. Every little fight started by a thug, Dedan. Every little movement, word or motion taught to Kvothe by Tempi, the great Adem mercenary. Just find the thieves den already and be done with it. Again, one-hundred-plus pages wasted to give one tiny important detail. One of the evil Chandrian lives and is out and about. Up to no good! What is his purpose in leading a den of thieves, you might ask. Good question. No closer to knowing that answer than I was after reading the first book. Hello...did you learn nothing from Lost??? You've got to give your audience something! I beg of you!!! But no. Sadly. There is nothing you can find on the Chandrian or the mysterious Amyr who may or may not be fighting said Chandrian. Wha???? So there's that boring bit.
#4. The Fae. Really? Hundreds of pages of yawns-ville. Seriously, folks, I do not get the point of this section. Rothfuss could have saved hundreds of pages of text and pared this down to something much more simple. I got a cloak or shaed and met this tree or Cthaeh. And I hooked up with a fairy who makes all men crazy for wanting her. I am Odysseus, however, and I got away successfully because of course, I bested that fairy and put her in her place, even though she's like 1,000 years old or whatever. Did I mention I'm like all of sixteen. Because I'm sixteen. I'm so awesome!
Oh, and BTW, I've been going on and on about how magic isn't really the HP kind of magic, but hey, why not a fairy and her magically making me this shaed and what not. I mean, my magic is super cool and real and all science and self-mastery and whatnot. So it's superior to that whole witch/wizard thing which is really just a lot of childish nonesuch! Adding in fairy magic, well, that isn't at all inconsistent with magic as it exists in these chronicles.
Hello! Am I the only one bugged by this? It's totally not in keeping with the way I saw Rothfuss's world. And I liked that about the story. Don't get me wrong, I love HP with all my heart. But this was different, and that's what I liked about it. The magic was mortal.
#5. The sex. Give me a break, please! I'll say this in Rothfuss's favor. It wasn't detailed. There were no racy, overt details. But I have a HUGE beef with casual sex. And it did not endear Kvothe to me anymore. So not only is he an egomaniac. He's a womanizer. Great! Now I love the guy.
#6. Ademre. BORING...surprise! More detail about Kvothe and how awesomely he handles all situations that arise. How he is so willing to sacrifice himself for a friend who is teaching him the Chinese art of Tai Ch...oh, I mean Ketan. Because the Ademre are blonde, folks...BLONDE! No Karate/Taekwondo here to see folks, just move it along. Of course, Kvothe masters yet another language and the ancient Chin...I mean Ademre art of the Lethani (fighting with honor and all that). He's humbled by being a barbarian among the civilized folks. He's barely able to best a ten year old who's not so good at Ketan but who can best an unbeatable tree with thousands of lethally sharp leaves. And seriously, again, what is up with so much detail?
And back to the casual sex. Only now, Kvothe is amongst the Ademre who are so advanced and who, of course, understand that sex has nothing(!!!) to do with being in love. Being as the Ademre are so civilized and what not. Of course, their casual sex does not lead to unwanted pregnancies or diseases. All because they are sooooo enlightened and don't believe that a man has anything to do with a woman's pregnancy. How convenient! I just say that casual sex has no adverse consequences. And it is so. GIVE ME A BREAK...I mean seriously.
#7. We get it. Edema Ruh are the greatest race that ever lived. They are masters of the stage. They are masters of music and poetry and all things art. They are the best...at everything. And the world is mistaken about how perfect a race they are. Did I mention that Kvothe is Edema born? Yes, Edema Ruh, that is. Because he is. Edema Ruh. So please please remember that. And that they are the best, at everything on the planet. Okay?
End of my "issues." And onto the bigger problem here. I'm invested enough from The Name of the Wind to want to know what is going to happen. But I'm afraid that Rothfuss is never going to deliver the goods. So far, he's failed to give us enough about the Chandrian, which is, correct me if I'm wrong, supposed to be the driving conflict of the story. Well, at this point, it isn't driving anything at all. And that is the problem. I can't decide if I keep reading on to the next book...whenever that may be coming out. (Maybe by then I'll have forgotten this experience.)
Upon further reflection, I have to say this. It really was okay, and some parts were better than that. I mean, it is 1,000 pages long and I did read the whole thing (although I may have been slightly skimming at some points and I wish I would have skimmed even more). But it is a let down from the past novel. I mean, he's told us who Kvothe is in The Name of the Wind. And I think that's why I'm sad about this book. I liked Kvothe. And now, not so much. I was excited to find out more about the mysterious Chandrian. Instead, I found out about boring fairies, boring royals, and the boring Ademre.
I'll cross my fingers and hope that the next installment is an improvement.
View all my reviews
Sunday, March 27, 2011
BFFs and Other Sundry Items
In the which we shall discuss various topics related to having the best friend a girl could ask for.
1. Oh don't you just love a good laugh? I find it delightful. And something else that I find delightful? My friends. In particular my BFF Dawn. She's funny and smart and she makes me smile.
Who doesn't need a good BFF in their life? Everyone needs that. Because life is unfair. So there's that.
Yes, I've decided that life really is unfair, just like my mom always told me. And no amount of wishing and praying and hoping is going to change that particular little fact one bit. So either I face it or continue living in denial.
But this is not to say that it is all bad news. Because just as into every life a little rain must fall, into every life, a little sun must shine. I even shared this tidbit with Dawn. You see, we are experiencing some difficulties over here and her...over there. I mean, serious adult drama. The kind that rocks your world - and not in a good way. The details are not important, but I will say this. Life...you can't make this stuff up, yo!
How-some-ever...if we are experiencing some of the most difficult drama right now, that means that there is sunshine and good times ahead. And I really do believe it. I mean, I personally believe that life is all about the opposites and experiencing both sides of the coin. Everyone has something traumatic happen to them. It may happen early. It may happen late. But it will happen. And so everyone will experience peace and joy - true joy. So there is that, too. Life is the great equalizer.
2. What else? Oh, I've been discussing this whole Mormon Bachelorette deal with some folks who happen to think I should do it. Should I? I don't know. I'm obviously thinking it over and wondering. And what do I expect? People to shout no? I mean, what would I think about that? So of course they are saying yes, do it!
And of course the BFF thinks I should as well. She even went on to make it my assignment for the week, as if! She's not the boss of me...NO SIR!
And I told her the honest truth. I don't know if my self-esteem can take it. I mean, I've been moving on a scale between two different phases. One...trying to "do something" about the no male BFF issue by attending every singles activity, praying, going to the temple, fasting, etc. Am I still single? People, has anyone put a ring on it? Nope! So option two? Doing nothing. And I mean nothing. I mean, yes, I still go to church and the temple. But there have been times when I just didn't even want to go on dates. (ASIDE...let us be completely honest. Dating stops being fun post-grad. Too much pressure. But that is a post for another day.) So doing nothing got me no ring either. The between (obvi)???? Somewhere between one and two. And guess what? Still no ring on it!
And I just don't know what the answer is. Doing something, not doing something...??? But it seems like the times when I tried harder, my self-esteem took a bigger hit because I was putting out the effort and nothing.
Peeps, I have to tell you. This trial is starting to make me feel like Sisyphus.
Anywho, so back to the Mormon Bachelorette. Say I send in a video and I don't get picked? Then what do I think? And say I do send in the video and get picked and yet it all goes as it has always gone in the past. No ring. (And yes, I am aware that I am putting FAR FAR FAR too much thought into this.) So I tell Dawn all this and I wonder what that would do to me. "Not to my testimony," I clarify. She starts laughing. "Can you imagine...I don't believe anymore because I wasn't the Mormon Bachelorette." Oh lots of silly giggling.
We will be getting a lot of mileage out of that one, believe you me!
Ugh! And bother. And why can't I read the derned future, I ask you? But seriously, it wouldn't shake my faith so much as my self-esteem. Oh Marty McFly...I'm just not sure I can take that kind of rejection!
3. Speaking of being the boss of people, the conversation continued along these lines.
BFF: "We need to be more positive about ourselves."
Me: "True. We do."
BFF: "I'm going to write five...wait no one positive thing about myself in my gratitude journal every night."
Me: Lots of laughing, "Um...five...no wait, just one good thing. A monkey could write one good thing. You can come up with five."
Blah blah blah...unimportant to the story conversation in between...
BFF: "I'll write five things when you are the Mormon Bachelorette!"
Me: "I thought you were going to say 'when you are the boss of me"...and I am the boss of you! You'll write five a night."
BFF: "You are not the boss of me. And I can't write five things a night because I'm going to do this for the rest of my life. I can't come up with five things a night for the rest of my life!"
Me: LAUGHING and LAUGHING!
4. And to conclude, after talking to my BFF, I feel better and we commiserated a lot and laughed a lot. Mostly at the end, we just laughed to our silly hearts' delight.
Oh, and I think people are supportive and helpful and pretty awesome, too.
And it is okay if you don't find our conversations as funny as I do. All that matters is that we find them funny.
Yes, life is unfair. But that is that. Might as well just forget it and move on...or at least accept it and find a reason to be happy after all.
1. Oh don't you just love a good laugh? I find it delightful. And something else that I find delightful? My friends. In particular my BFF Dawn. She's funny and smart and she makes me smile.
Who doesn't need a good BFF in their life? Everyone needs that. Because life is unfair. So there's that.
Yes, I've decided that life really is unfair, just like my mom always told me. And no amount of wishing and praying and hoping is going to change that particular little fact one bit. So either I face it or continue living in denial.
But this is not to say that it is all bad news. Because just as into every life a little rain must fall, into every life, a little sun must shine. I even shared this tidbit with Dawn. You see, we are experiencing some difficulties over here and her...over there. I mean, serious adult drama. The kind that rocks your world - and not in a good way. The details are not important, but I will say this. Life...you can't make this stuff up, yo!
How-some-ever...if we are experiencing some of the most difficult drama right now, that means that there is sunshine and good times ahead. And I really do believe it. I mean, I personally believe that life is all about the opposites and experiencing both sides of the coin. Everyone has something traumatic happen to them. It may happen early. It may happen late. But it will happen. And so everyone will experience peace and joy - true joy. So there is that, too. Life is the great equalizer.
2. What else? Oh, I've been discussing this whole Mormon Bachelorette deal with some folks who happen to think I should do it. Should I? I don't know. I'm obviously thinking it over and wondering. And what do I expect? People to shout no? I mean, what would I think about that? So of course they are saying yes, do it!
And of course the BFF thinks I should as well. She even went on to make it my assignment for the week, as if! She's not the boss of me...NO SIR!
And I told her the honest truth. I don't know if my self-esteem can take it. I mean, I've been moving on a scale between two different phases. One...trying to "do something" about the no male BFF issue by attending every singles activity, praying, going to the temple, fasting, etc. Am I still single? People, has anyone put a ring on it? Nope! So option two? Doing nothing. And I mean nothing. I mean, yes, I still go to church and the temple. But there have been times when I just didn't even want to go on dates. (ASIDE...let us be completely honest. Dating stops being fun post-grad. Too much pressure. But that is a post for another day.) So doing nothing got me no ring either. The between (obvi)???? Somewhere between one and two. And guess what? Still no ring on it!
And I just don't know what the answer is. Doing something, not doing something...??? But it seems like the times when I tried harder, my self-esteem took a bigger hit because I was putting out the effort and nothing.
Peeps, I have to tell you. This trial is starting to make me feel like Sisyphus.
Anywho, so back to the Mormon Bachelorette. Say I send in a video and I don't get picked? Then what do I think? And say I do send in the video and get picked and yet it all goes as it has always gone in the past. No ring. (And yes, I am aware that I am putting FAR FAR FAR too much thought into this.) So I tell Dawn all this and I wonder what that would do to me. "Not to my testimony," I clarify. She starts laughing. "Can you imagine...I don't believe anymore because I wasn't the Mormon Bachelorette." Oh lots of silly giggling.
We will be getting a lot of mileage out of that one, believe you me!
Ugh! And bother. And why can't I read the derned future, I ask you? But seriously, it wouldn't shake my faith so much as my self-esteem. Oh Marty McFly...I'm just not sure I can take that kind of rejection!
3. Speaking of being the boss of people, the conversation continued along these lines.
BFF: "We need to be more positive about ourselves."
Me: "True. We do."
BFF: "I'm going to write five...wait no one positive thing about myself in my gratitude journal every night."
Me: Lots of laughing, "Um...five...no wait, just one good thing. A monkey could write one good thing. You can come up with five."
Blah blah blah...unimportant to the story conversation in between...
BFF: "I'll write five things when you are the Mormon Bachelorette!"
Me: "I thought you were going to say 'when you are the boss of me"...and I am the boss of you! You'll write five a night."
BFF: "You are not the boss of me. And I can't write five things a night because I'm going to do this for the rest of my life. I can't come up with five things a night for the rest of my life!"
Me: LAUGHING and LAUGHING!
4. And to conclude, after talking to my BFF, I feel better and we commiserated a lot and laughed a lot. Mostly at the end, we just laughed to our silly hearts' delight.
Oh, and I think people are supportive and helpful and pretty awesome, too.
And it is okay if you don't find our conversations as funny as I do. All that matters is that we find them funny.
Yes, life is unfair. But that is that. Might as well just forget it and move on...or at least accept it and find a reason to be happy after all.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Timeless
Just watched a little documentary on U2's Joshua Tree album. 1986 people - 1986! I hear the songs, even now about twenty-five years later, and I think to myself "That is an awesome song." Not just for one or for two tracks. I find myself saying it over and over. Their music is the kind of music you hear years later, and you don't conjure up bad 80s hair bands or one hit wonders or songs that you've heard so many times you want to puke.
Because their music isn't dated. They didn't come up with some radical look to garner attention. And their music, the message, the sound, is still fresh, even today. Isn't that novel...just gooooooooood music. And the album sells. People still want to hear the songs after all these years.
So here is to U2...long may you produce awesome music! (That, and may I get to see you, one day, live...preferably in Dublin. And you have to play all the classics. And I better be with my boyfriend/husband. Just saying!)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Signs of Spring
If you look closely, you can see it...the first signs that Spring is here. And oh how glorious it is. Little splashes of green against the blue sky. I love the way it feels when the sun comes out, and it isn't too hot yet. Everything is changing. Signs of color coming up from the ground or bursting from the trees - white, purple, yellow, pink. Grass starts to grow and you can hear the sounds of lawn mowers and leaf blowers and everyone is outside walking or running or sitting by the lake. And you pull out your flip-flops because it is finally time to free your feet from months and months of confinement. My, but isn't Spring beautiful and bright and full of hope!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I Bleed Blue for BYU!
Let's just take a moment of silence for the Cougs! Best showing in the NCAA tournament since 1981!
Okay...so I haven't followed much basketball over the last several years. And I have to admit that normally, I'm a Duke fan when it comes to the NCAA. Yes I went to BYU. So what? Is it a crime to cheer for another team? I do not think so.
However, this year. This year it was all about the Cougars. Jimmer Fredette and the Y. I was sorry to see them lose tonight. After all the controversy over Davies' suspension. After all the talk of honor codes and values. Well, BYU, you stuck to your guns.
And nothing could make me more proud to be a Cougar! GO BYU!!! I BLEED BLUE FOR YOU!!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sagas...That's What I Like
I like to think I live a relatively drama free life mostly because I do not relish confrontation over serious matters. Yelling and ranting and such, you know. And my life is pretty calm. Sure, I have my troubles and such. However, I try not to make a big deal out of them or exaggerate about them. I mean sure, we all vent a little about what troubles us, go have ourselves a bad day here and there, cry a bit, moan a bit. But I don't think I do that overly much. At least I sure do hope not!
Anyway, I'm reading this book I told you about - The Wise Man's Fear. It's one of these sagas that takes you in to a story about a character who lives a pretty dramatic life. I mean seriously. This guy lives an uber drama filled existence, if you know what I mean.
Of course, that isn't reality. Let us be honest, shall we? If life were that dramatic, who would survive it? No one. These characters never sleep, fall off of buildings, carry damsels in distress out of burning buildings, save the king from being poisoned, live through shipwrecks, survive grueling poverty, get chased down by unknown demons, are wooed by wanton women (okay I just wanted to throw that in there, although that is often a trope in said stories, actually) and yet manage to bedazzle their compatriots with wit, charm, energy, brains, talent on ZERO sleep and /or food.
And I just have to wonder why I am drawn to such stories. I am. I find them fascinating. Maybe it is exactly because my life is nothing if not pedestrian, at least in my mind. Nothing exciting ever happens on my block and all that.
That and it amazes me how a writer does it. Take Mr. Patrick Rothfuss, author of said saga. How does he manage to keep the story straight, detail after detail, layer after layer as it builds and builds? It is nothing short of brilliant, really. At times I find myself thinking, "Wow! How did he remember to incorporate that detail?" Or, "Did he think of this idea when he first started writing so that it could fit in both the first and second installment?" (Um, as an aside, because you know I am a fan of the asides, J.K. Rowling is the undisputed master of this! Hello peeps...horcruxes? She had that figured out from the first book! That is some serious writing know-how!)
So that is to say that: 1. I loves me a good saga. And while we are on that point, here are some (but only some) of the past sagas I have loved: Gone With The Wind, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, The Pillars of the Earth, Anne of Green Gables (Hear me out on this one, folks. The girl has serious drama going on in her life. Hello! She gets her bff drunk on their first play date, sells her neighbor's prized Jersey cow, dies her hair green, splits her slate over Guilbert Blythe's head, all in the first like six chapters or so...need I go on?).
And 2. How will I ever become a saga writer? I mean really. Because I want to write a series. And it has to have drama. And I just hope I have the mental gymnastics skills to come up with crazy creative links in my stories. Things that were obviously planned from the first scene in the first story, you know? Because that is what makes a saga super special. It all comes together!
Anyway, I'm reading this book I told you about - The Wise Man's Fear. It's one of these sagas that takes you in to a story about a character who lives a pretty dramatic life. I mean seriously. This guy lives an uber drama filled existence, if you know what I mean.
Of course, that isn't reality. Let us be honest, shall we? If life were that dramatic, who would survive it? No one. These characters never sleep, fall off of buildings, carry damsels in distress out of burning buildings, save the king from being poisoned, live through shipwrecks, survive grueling poverty, get chased down by unknown demons, are wooed by wanton women (okay I just wanted to throw that in there, although that is often a trope in said stories, actually) and yet manage to bedazzle their compatriots with wit, charm, energy, brains, talent on ZERO sleep and /or food.
And I just have to wonder why I am drawn to such stories. I am. I find them fascinating. Maybe it is exactly because my life is nothing if not pedestrian, at least in my mind. Nothing exciting ever happens on my block and all that.
That and it amazes me how a writer does it. Take Mr. Patrick Rothfuss, author of said saga. How does he manage to keep the story straight, detail after detail, layer after layer as it builds and builds? It is nothing short of brilliant, really. At times I find myself thinking, "Wow! How did he remember to incorporate that detail?" Or, "Did he think of this idea when he first started writing so that it could fit in both the first and second installment?" (Um, as an aside, because you know I am a fan of the asides, J.K. Rowling is the undisputed master of this! Hello peeps...horcruxes? She had that figured out from the first book! That is some serious writing know-how!)
So that is to say that: 1. I loves me a good saga. And while we are on that point, here are some (but only some) of the past sagas I have loved: Gone With The Wind, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, The Pillars of the Earth, Anne of Green Gables (Hear me out on this one, folks. The girl has serious drama going on in her life. Hello! She gets her bff drunk on their first play date, sells her neighbor's prized Jersey cow, dies her hair green, splits her slate over Guilbert Blythe's head, all in the first like six chapters or so...need I go on?).
And 2. How will I ever become a saga writer? I mean really. Because I want to write a series. And it has to have drama. And I just hope I have the mental gymnastics skills to come up with crazy creative links in my stories. Things that were obviously planned from the first scene in the first story, you know? Because that is what makes a saga super special. It all comes together!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Surprises!
I love the mail. When I was little, I loved going "down to the mailbox" to check it. I'm pretty certain there wasn't a whole lot that was ever in the mail for me, but I liked the walk. You see, we lived on a private road in the countryside, and at the time, the mail box was a small walk down our drive and our private road. I've always enjoyed a walk, so.
And then there is the whole surprise of the mail. Someone shows up with various items for the grown-ups. What's not love about that? And even though I'm an adult now...and even though I know that mostly the mail is filled with bills...and even though it's never a million dollar check...so rude!
But then since I've moved to Texas, I feel like all I get are surprises. Today, my darling sister sent me a book that she wants me to read so we can discuss. My dearest bff Dawn sent me a very thoughtful book, just because she's rad like that. I love it! My dearest darling other bff, Jamie, sent me books for my birthday and a Valentine's Love CD on heart day! Sweet Misha surprised me with chocolate covered strawberries! Yum...and btw, so much better than the package I was forced to send to her...um, who loves Barbri books or the nasty amount of studying that goes on with that? No one, that is who! Even more rude!
My point being that lately I've had lots of fun mail surprises, and I can't say that it makes me sad. Not sad at all! So thanks peeps! I heart the surprises!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Off to a Good Start
So back at the farm...
I'm not working for the next week or two. Unless, of course, a miracle of miracles occurs and I get myself one of those job thingies I hear so much talk of. But anyway.
Oh, and I got my hair done. It looks fabulous! I'm loving Bethany over at Belfiore Salon in Rockwall. She's, well, if you saw my hair, you would know just what I speak of because it looks pretty dern a.maaaaa.zing! (If I do say so myself, and I do!)
In the mean time, I'm reading my new book - The Wise Man's Fear. And so far I'm hearting it. I seriously love a good fantasy book, expecially a series. I know. I know. I'm oooooozing geek factor. So sue me. I read the first book, The Name of the Wind, several months ago. It was also fantastic. So I thought I should post that review for you here.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first started reading this, I almost decided to take it back to the library. I just couldn't getting into it for the first hundred pages or so. It's a fantasy novel (I've taken a surprising liking to the genre...nerdy but whatever), so I think I sort of expected more action right away. It turns out it's pretty character driven. Because of that, I wanted to put it down. Not that I don't like character driven stories. I very much do. I just thought I wanted something different, and I wasn't sure I could get into this particular character. Well, it turns out I was wrong. I soon found myself engrossed in the story of Kvothe, a brilliant and very young student at a university that teaches magic, along with grammar, mathematics and rhetoric.
The story is part of a series (or soon to be series...the next book comes out in March according to the publisher). The first installment sets the back story and describes how Kvothe discovers his magical abilities and talents, which happen to be far greater than just what the university has to teach him. That might be another reason I wasn't sure I was going to be into this. It introduces the main conflict, the Chandrian or demons, but it doesn't get into that conflict really until the last 150 pages or so. The bulk of the book really does focus on developing Kvothe. But Kvothe is an interesting character, so I found it engaging despite the fact that I wanted a little more about the conflict central to the story.
I might have given it five stars but I do have two beefs with the story. One, Kvothe is a little full of himself. He tells the story from the perspective of an adult looking back. And he's just a bit too impressed with his own accomplishments. I would have expected that, as an adult, he would have had a bit more insight into his youthful hubris. To be fair, at moments he did. But not enough. In any case, a minor problem. The second beef - I wanted more of the central conflict to be explained, at minimum. He gives a good back story, but the back story doesn't really develop who/what the Chandrian are. And there are other strange giant bug-like monsters that somehow have to relate to the conflict. I don't know where they came from or their role in the story, either. I suppose I was comparing it to Lord of the Rings, where the conflict is clear from the beginning. And perhaps that isn't fair. Still it peaked my curiosity enough to give me reason to read the next book in the series, so the beef is minor.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading installment number two, The Wise Man's Fear.
View all my reviews
I'm not working for the next week or two. Unless, of course, a miracle of miracles occurs and I get myself one of those job thingies I hear so much talk of. But anyway.
Oh, and I got my hair done. It looks fabulous! I'm loving Bethany over at Belfiore Salon in Rockwall. She's, well, if you saw my hair, you would know just what I speak of because it looks pretty dern a.maaaaa.zing! (If I do say so myself, and I do!)
In the mean time, I'm reading my new book - The Wise Man's Fear. And so far I'm hearting it. I seriously love a good fantasy book, expecially a series. I know. I know. I'm oooooozing geek factor. So sue me. I read the first book, The Name of the Wind, several months ago. It was also fantastic. So I thought I should post that review for you here.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I first started reading this, I almost decided to take it back to the library. I just couldn't getting into it for the first hundred pages or so. It's a fantasy novel (I've taken a surprising liking to the genre...nerdy but whatever), so I think I sort of expected more action right away. It turns out it's pretty character driven. Because of that, I wanted to put it down. Not that I don't like character driven stories. I very much do. I just thought I wanted something different, and I wasn't sure I could get into this particular character. Well, it turns out I was wrong. I soon found myself engrossed in the story of Kvothe, a brilliant and very young student at a university that teaches magic, along with grammar, mathematics and rhetoric.
The story is part of a series (or soon to be series...the next book comes out in March according to the publisher). The first installment sets the back story and describes how Kvothe discovers his magical abilities and talents, which happen to be far greater than just what the university has to teach him. That might be another reason I wasn't sure I was going to be into this. It introduces the main conflict, the Chandrian or demons, but it doesn't get into that conflict really until the last 150 pages or so. The bulk of the book really does focus on developing Kvothe. But Kvothe is an interesting character, so I found it engaging despite the fact that I wanted a little more about the conflict central to the story.
I might have given it five stars but I do have two beefs with the story. One, Kvothe is a little full of himself. He tells the story from the perspective of an adult looking back. And he's just a bit too impressed with his own accomplishments. I would have expected that, as an adult, he would have had a bit more insight into his youthful hubris. To be fair, at moments he did. But not enough. In any case, a minor problem. The second beef - I wanted more of the central conflict to be explained, at minimum. He gives a good back story, but the back story doesn't really develop who/what the Chandrian are. And there are other strange giant bug-like monsters that somehow have to relate to the conflict. I don't know where they came from or their role in the story, either. I suppose I was comparing it to Lord of the Rings, where the conflict is clear from the beginning. And perhaps that isn't fair. Still it peaked my curiosity enough to give me reason to read the next book in the series, so the beef is minor.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading installment number two, The Wise Man's Fear.
View all my reviews
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Is It Bad...???
I've debated this topic in my mind so much of late. And it's a hard thing for a girl to admit - perhaps in some circles, one might consider it shameful. So I'm just going to jump in.
I don't know some days if I want children anymore.
There. I said it. I remember times in my life when I thought my biological clock was ticking. Once in undergrad...I was all of twenty or maybe twenty-one. And who was I kidding? I had no idea if I wanted children then. I just knew that everyone I knew said babies were the best. And I still sort of think that about babies. They are the best. Cute and pudgy and sweet smelling. I love babies. But I did not have any sort of clock ticking in any part of my body when I was twenty. Period.
And then my biological clock absolutely did kick in and with a vengeance. Or at least, I think that's what it was. I'm not sure I'm totally convinced that there is such a thing (more on that in a moment). Anyway, every time I saw a baby (on t.v., on movies, on the sidewalk being pushed about in some cute sparkly stroller, on the hips of every single sister-in-law), well, I was close to two things: one,tears (well maybe not so much close to tears as actually experiencing them in real life) and two, stealing one for myself. Really. I can see the headline now: Second year law student steals brother's brand new baby over Turkey Day break. Because that was the year I fully wanted a baby. And I was ready to steal my nephew Emmett. He was less than a week old when I came to TXas for Thanksgiving break. I think I held him and held him and held him some more. He was sweet and smelled soooooooooooo deeeee to the licious!
But maybe something happens with time. That craving that I felt for a few years has subsided now. I play with Julia (who isn't a baby anymore, really, but a toddler), and I love it. I love her cute, funny expressions. I love it when she yells, "By yoooooooooooooouuuuuu!" when she wants you to sit down next to her at the table. I love seeing her run around and laugh. I love her hugs and her kisses and her smile and everything about her.
But I think about the reality of children, and it scares me. Everyone says it is different when they are your own children. But kids come with price tags, and I'm not talking about the monetary kind (although that is an obvious one). No, I mean more the emotional price tag of time and effort and worry. I write that down, and I feel like I must be a selfish person. But the biological clock is NOT ticking in any way, shape or form in these parts.
What I want to know, then, is will it ever kick back on some day? Or has it died a permanent death? My brain and even a part of my heart says I want to want to have children. But another part of me says I do not. Is the whole biological clock thing even real? Or is it something we've invented in our heads?
Because when one looks at an adorable baby, it's hard not to want yourself one of those. But even that is starting to fade. And so I just wonder.
I don't know some days if I want children anymore.
There. I said it. I remember times in my life when I thought my biological clock was ticking. Once in undergrad...I was all of twenty or maybe twenty-one. And who was I kidding? I had no idea if I wanted children then. I just knew that everyone I knew said babies were the best. And I still sort of think that about babies. They are the best. Cute and pudgy and sweet smelling. I love babies. But I did not have any sort of clock ticking in any part of my body when I was twenty. Period.
And then my biological clock absolutely did kick in and with a vengeance. Or at least, I think that's what it was. I'm not sure I'm totally convinced that there is such a thing (more on that in a moment). Anyway, every time I saw a baby (on t.v., on movies, on the sidewalk being pushed about in some cute sparkly stroller, on the hips of every single sister-in-law), well, I was close to two things: one,tears (well maybe not so much close to tears as actually experiencing them in real life) and two, stealing one for myself. Really. I can see the headline now: Second year law student steals brother's brand new baby over Turkey Day break. Because that was the year I fully wanted a baby. And I was ready to steal my nephew Emmett. He was less than a week old when I came to TXas for Thanksgiving break. I think I held him and held him and held him some more. He was sweet and smelled soooooooooooo deeeee to the licious!
But maybe something happens with time. That craving that I felt for a few years has subsided now. I play with Julia (who isn't a baby anymore, really, but a toddler), and I love it. I love her cute, funny expressions. I love it when she yells, "By yoooooooooooooouuuuuu!" when she wants you to sit down next to her at the table. I love seeing her run around and laugh. I love her hugs and her kisses and her smile and everything about her.
But I think about the reality of children, and it scares me. Everyone says it is different when they are your own children. But kids come with price tags, and I'm not talking about the monetary kind (although that is an obvious one). No, I mean more the emotional price tag of time and effort and worry. I write that down, and I feel like I must be a selfish person. But the biological clock is NOT ticking in any way, shape or form in these parts.
What I want to know, then, is will it ever kick back on some day? Or has it died a permanent death? My brain and even a part of my heart says I want to want to have children. But another part of me says I do not. Is the whole biological clock thing even real? Or is it something we've invented in our heads?
Because when one looks at an adorable baby, it's hard not to want yourself one of those. But even that is starting to fade. And so I just wonder.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
To Buy or Not to Buy? That Is the Question.
So yesterday I went to the library just for a few minutes and all. I have to tell you that the Rockwall Library is a deeeelight! Seriously. It's new and sparkly and has, of course, lots of books. Although for the record, I think Newark's collection is probably larger, and I did love that it was in a lovely old building with a marble interior and dusty old stacks with mysterious dark corners and a musty smell. It felt very lived in, comfortable and, oh, I don't know, library-ish.
Do you like how when I cannot come up with a way of describing something, I get uber lazy and just end with an -ish or a -ness?
And then today, I went to Barnes and Noble. I fear I've become a strange new person because I no longer have this craving to buy the place out. Ever since I got turned onto this idea of the library, Borders and Barnes and Noble have become pretty places to peruse sparkly new books. But I browse. That is not to say that I do not enjoy the browsing and the looking. I most certainly do. But buying...well, that is another thing all together.
You see, besides wandering around stacks, I also enjoy the free-ness (there I go again...I'm going to call it my lawyer training because that is what real attorneys do: make up words by indiscriminately adding endings as they please) of the public library. That and I'm poor. But mostly I just like that the lib's free policy and all.
That and I've realized I don't want to spend seven to twenty-some-odd dollars on a risky investment. Hear me out. So my Goodreads friends might have made me risk averse. Take, for example, the following anecdote. I was looking at those shiny new books in mah fave section - YA Lit. I saw City of Bones and Clockwork Angel, both by Cassandra Clare. They have thousands of very good ratings on Goodreads...both over four stars. So pretty good average and all, so I'm thinking purchasable. But then I looked at what my friends had to say. One bad review, and I immediately thought, "LIBRARY!" That way I don't have to pay for a book that I'm going to think was only so-so and wish I hadn't spent good money on it.
And if I hate it? Even better. No loss, I just take it back to the library. If I purchase it, I'll feel obligated to finish it. And then double whammy. I'm mad because I spent good money and wasted good time when there are soooooooo many good books out there, all for the enjoying and what not. Who wants to waste cash and time on a product that is no good? No one, that's who. And well, hmmm...that gets me to thinking...maybe B&N should have a return policy for books that just aren't satisfying. Do they have that sort of thing? Maybe they do already. I don't know. I'm just saying. You walk up to the counter and tell them it's super dumb and how much you really hated it and how angry you are that you wasted so much time on it...right?
Thusly? More and more, I'm thinking I need to save my cash for the Jane Eyres and Harry Potters of the world, you know? Books that I'll read more than once.
So my pocket book thanks you, public lib, it thanks you very very much!
Do you like how when I cannot come up with a way of describing something, I get uber lazy and just end with an -ish or a -ness?
And then today, I went to Barnes and Noble. I fear I've become a strange new person because I no longer have this craving to buy the place out. Ever since I got turned onto this idea of the library, Borders and Barnes and Noble have become pretty places to peruse sparkly new books. But I browse. That is not to say that I do not enjoy the browsing and the looking. I most certainly do. But buying...well, that is another thing all together.
You see, besides wandering around stacks, I also enjoy the free-ness (there I go again...I'm going to call it my lawyer training because that is what real attorneys do: make up words by indiscriminately adding endings as they please) of the public library. That and I'm poor. But mostly I just like that the lib's free policy and all.
That and I've realized I don't want to spend seven to twenty-some-odd dollars on a risky investment. Hear me out. So my Goodreads friends might have made me risk averse. Take, for example, the following anecdote. I was looking at those shiny new books in mah fave section - YA Lit. I saw City of Bones and Clockwork Angel, both by Cassandra Clare. They have thousands of very good ratings on Goodreads...both over four stars. So pretty good average and all, so I'm thinking purchasable. But then I looked at what my friends had to say. One bad review, and I immediately thought, "LIBRARY!" That way I don't have to pay for a book that I'm going to think was only so-so and wish I hadn't spent good money on it.
And if I hate it? Even better. No loss, I just take it back to the library. If I purchase it, I'll feel obligated to finish it. And then double whammy. I'm mad because I spent good money and wasted good time when there are soooooooo many good books out there, all for the enjoying and what not. Who wants to waste cash and time on a product that is no good? No one, that's who. And well, hmmm...that gets me to thinking...maybe B&N should have a return policy for books that just aren't satisfying. Do they have that sort of thing? Maybe they do already. I don't know. I'm just saying. You walk up to the counter and tell them it's super dumb and how much you really hated it and how angry you are that you wasted so much time on it...right?
Thusly? More and more, I'm thinking I need to save my cash for the Jane Eyres and Harry Potters of the world, you know? Books that I'll read more than once.
So my pocket book thanks you, public lib, it thanks you very very much!
Friday, March 18, 2011
I Should Have Gone to Five Guys
I love a good burger. And today, I wanted a burger. Actually, I went last week to get a burger because I had a yen then, too. And I can't get over the yen because it isn't Five Guys.
Shake Shack might do. But alas, I am not in New York City.
In N' Out might do. But alas, I am not in Las Vegas (and that gets me thinking about Capriati's...mmmmmmmmmm, the Capistrami. Yummy! And then that gets me thinking about Gandolfo's Holland Tunnel. I think I might want a sandwich now!)
Alas, I am in Rockwall, TXas.
And while Braum's and Burger House are decent (by which I mean a step above McDonald's...which might not be the highest compliment) they are NO Five Guys.
Thus I've learned. Burger craving = Five Guys.
Shake Shack might do. But alas, I am not in New York City.
In N' Out might do. But alas, I am not in Las Vegas (and that gets me thinking about Capriati's...mmmmmmmmmm, the Capistrami. Yummy! And then that gets me thinking about Gandolfo's Holland Tunnel. I think I might want a sandwich now!)
Alas, I am in Rockwall, TXas.
And while Braum's and Burger House are decent (by which I mean a step above McDonald's...which might not be the highest compliment) they are NO Five Guys.
Thus I've learned. Burger craving = Five Guys.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
What Is This Faith Thing, Really? I Mean Really?
So here is a confession that'll probably embarrass me to no end. I'm a slow learner. When it comes to the really important things, that is. Sure, I get a lot of things the first go round. Like algebra and plural possessives...and even res ipsa loquitur and the commerce clause (okay so maybe those might take more than one go round, but I got them in a relatively respectable time frame). But I'm not talking about book learnin', here folks. Nope. I may get equations, logic, writing and grammar. But what always seems to take me time is the real stuff, like fear and faith and patience and doubt.
Today I've had some time to contemplate what God might be trying to say to me. Once upon a time, I was a BYU co-ed. And I had a big ole doozy of a crush on a super cute guy that I was just certain would be my soul mate. Girls, raise your hands if you've ever thought the wrong boy was your soul mate? Go on...admit it. I'm not the first girly-girl to think she'd met Mr. Right. It happened on a cold and icy night in January. I was going to the gym and had to run to my truck for my ear phones. I slipped on the ice between my truck and this huuuuge Bronco. And then all of a sudden, I hear my name. At first I couldn't figure it out...were the cosmos calling down to me? Then I looked up, up, up into that ginormous beast of a vehicle and saw a really (no, I'm not kidding...a REALLY) cute boy. I didn't know him from Adam. But he knew me and how flattering and oh how perfectly awesome. I just fell on my hind parts in front of dreamy Bronco boy. Ugh!
But the really big thing is coming. I had a super rough night that night and was just certain that no boys knew who I was and that they didn't care a bit about me and I was going to die...DIE...all by my lonesome self. And then there he was. Dreamy Bronco boy. He knew me, but I didn't know him and what was that all about? How flattering for my ego, I must tell you. My prayers had been answered, and he MUST be the one. I carried on with that for a while. And he did invite me over one night for some boxing match on pay-per-view. And he did ask me out on a date. And then he stood me up! Stood me up, peeps. Yet still, I was convinced of our "meant-to-be"-ness. Wha???? Really???? Clearly that did not pan out, and it took me a long while to figure it all out.
And then today I did. It's been twelve years - and no, I'm not still pining, thankyouverymuch! I may be sad and silly sometimes, but I am not that sad and silly. No, I mean what was God trying to tell me that night...that is what I think I'm finally starting to understand.
I already informed you about my happening to run into a certain John and Hannah Smith at the temple last Friday and how they are lawyers and how I'm looking for a job and did I mention how they are both lawyers? Well that they are. And what is God trying to point out to me in these situations? Will John and Hannah Smith help me find a job? Could be, I don't know. How-some-ever... I'm not going to waste time wondering and worrying about it. What I am going to do is be grateful for the reminder that God is aware of my circumstances, and He is working all kinds of angles for me. Many, many people from church and all over have my resume. And this is one more moment where I can look at my life and say, see, God knows. And He's whispering to me, "Hey, psst! You! Did you know I care about you? See. I'm putting things and people in your path all the time, and you just never know what will pan out. So settle down already!"
You see, when I was a child at BYU, I thought like a child. I didn't see what the Lord was getting at. That yes, the male species had noticed me and that no, I wasn't doomed for singledom forever and that for sure I could find a nice guy some day to get married with (I like the idea of married with not married to and some time soon, real soon, I'll tell y'all about it). The point being? Not that he was "the one", mind you, but more that I wasn't DOOMED.
And this job thing, or finding a car, getting a place of my own, paying off my ginormous law school loans, or even get a friend of the male variety...well, the Lord is there looking out for me. And me and my dreamy whoever man will come along. I'll pay my debts. I'll find a car. And life isn't about doubt, but faith. If you are afraid, then you aren't trusting that there is purpose and meaning and that God does have a plan. Because that's faith. Because if I really and truly believe Him, then I have no need to fear. I don't have to look to some big sign or the perfect moment to answer that nagging doubt.
I just look up to the heavens and say, "Thanks for one more tender mercy. Thanks for showing me that YOU have my back."
Today I've had some time to contemplate what God might be trying to say to me. Once upon a time, I was a BYU co-ed. And I had a big ole doozy of a crush on a super cute guy that I was just certain would be my soul mate. Girls, raise your hands if you've ever thought the wrong boy was your soul mate? Go on...admit it. I'm not the first girly-girl to think she'd met Mr. Right. It happened on a cold and icy night in January. I was going to the gym and had to run to my truck for my ear phones. I slipped on the ice between my truck and this huuuuge Bronco. And then all of a sudden, I hear my name. At first I couldn't figure it out...were the cosmos calling down to me? Then I looked up, up, up into that ginormous beast of a vehicle and saw a really (no, I'm not kidding...a REALLY) cute boy. I didn't know him from Adam. But he knew me and how flattering and oh how perfectly awesome. I just fell on my hind parts in front of dreamy Bronco boy. Ugh!
But the really big thing is coming. I had a super rough night that night and was just certain that no boys knew who I was and that they didn't care a bit about me and I was going to die...DIE...all by my lonesome self. And then there he was. Dreamy Bronco boy. He knew me, but I didn't know him and what was that all about? How flattering for my ego, I must tell you. My prayers had been answered, and he MUST be the one. I carried on with that for a while. And he did invite me over one night for some boxing match on pay-per-view. And he did ask me out on a date. And then he stood me up! Stood me up, peeps. Yet still, I was convinced of our "meant-to-be"-ness. Wha???? Really???? Clearly that did not pan out, and it took me a long while to figure it all out.
And then today I did. It's been twelve years - and no, I'm not still pining, thankyouverymuch! I may be sad and silly sometimes, but I am not that sad and silly. No, I mean what was God trying to tell me that night...that is what I think I'm finally starting to understand.
I already informed you about my happening to run into a certain John and Hannah Smith at the temple last Friday and how they are lawyers and how I'm looking for a job and did I mention how they are both lawyers? Well that they are. And what is God trying to point out to me in these situations? Will John and Hannah Smith help me find a job? Could be, I don't know. How-some-ever... I'm not going to waste time wondering and worrying about it. What I am going to do is be grateful for the reminder that God is aware of my circumstances, and He is working all kinds of angles for me. Many, many people from church and all over have my resume. And this is one more moment where I can look at my life and say, see, God knows. And He's whispering to me, "Hey, psst! You! Did you know I care about you? See. I'm putting things and people in your path all the time, and you just never know what will pan out. So settle down already!"
You see, when I was a child at BYU, I thought like a child. I didn't see what the Lord was getting at. That yes, the male species had noticed me and that no, I wasn't doomed for singledom forever and that for sure I could find a nice guy some day to get married with (I like the idea of married with not married to and some time soon, real soon, I'll tell y'all about it). The point being? Not that he was "the one", mind you, but more that I wasn't DOOMED.
And this job thing, or finding a car, getting a place of my own, paying off my ginormous law school loans, or even get a friend of the male variety...well, the Lord is there looking out for me. And me and my dreamy whoever man will come along. I'll pay my debts. I'll find a car. And life isn't about doubt, but faith. If you are afraid, then you aren't trusting that there is purpose and meaning and that God does have a plan. Because that's faith. Because if I really and truly believe Him, then I have no need to fear. I don't have to look to some big sign or the perfect moment to answer that nagging doubt.
I just look up to the heavens and say, "Thanks for one more tender mercy. Thanks for showing me that YOU have my back."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Decide Already!
At any given point in my life I have wanted to be one of the following: an actress, Miss America (I didn't realize that wasn't a career choice), a lawyer, a writer, a teacher, a singer (still sort of do...not in the big time, mind you. Wouldn't it be so perfect to sing little ditties to a local crowd while strumming on my guitar? Only I don't own one. That and I can't play one.), a back-up dancer for Justin Timberlake, a Dallas Cowgirl (when I was young...don't hate), and a football player (not really, but as my mother's little feminist, I didn't really understand why girls couldn't play football, too).
Now I'm all grown up and I still want to be a writer. My time will come. But in the mean time, I don't know what to be. And I don't know how to find the right fit. I am an attorney, like it or not. I even have the card to prove that I am. And now I have a mountain of debt, a law degree, and a license, and I still haven't been invited to the ball. So I'm trying to think and think and think of other options.
Do I start a business? Like a day salon and spa...hmmm...anyone? No. Because I am far too risk averse. I couldn't live worrying all day every day about the success or failure of a business.
Do I go back to teaching? Texas is laying off 100,000 teachers (or so rumor has it...I didn't realize there were that many teachers to lay off). Besides the fact that I think that that is God's way of telling me to move it along because I am sooooooooooo over teaching!
Do I become a country singing star...haha! Not likely with my stage fright.
I think I'm a little old to become a football player...rusty joints and all. Ha!
Or do I just remain patient and hope that I find a position in a firm and what not?
Seriously, peeps. What up, yo? What do I do? I have gots to find me a gig...stat!
Now I'm all grown up and I still want to be a writer. My time will come. But in the mean time, I don't know what to be. And I don't know how to find the right fit. I am an attorney, like it or not. I even have the card to prove that I am. And now I have a mountain of debt, a law degree, and a license, and I still haven't been invited to the ball. So I'm trying to think and think and think of other options.
Do I start a business? Like a day salon and spa...hmmm...anyone? No. Because I am far too risk averse. I couldn't live worrying all day every day about the success or failure of a business.
Do I go back to teaching? Texas is laying off 100,000 teachers (or so rumor has it...I didn't realize there were that many teachers to lay off). Besides the fact that I think that that is God's way of telling me to move it along because I am sooooooooooo over teaching!
Do I become a country singing star...haha! Not likely with my stage fright.
I think I'm a little old to become a football player...rusty joints and all. Ha!
Or do I just remain patient and hope that I find a position in a firm and what not?
Seriously, peeps. What up, yo? What do I do? I have gots to find me a gig...stat!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Before I Fall
I was just thinking yesterday as I wrote about feng shui and all that. I was thinking about how I started this blog off with a purpose. That purpose being to highlight my musings on literature and what not. And I think I'm sort of losing sight of that. I mean sure, I can write about other topics because it is my blog and so it is up to me to decide how I want to use it. That being said, I think a little more musing on books is in order.
So I read this in January - one of my fave reads this year so far. Well, actually I've had a number of those, but this book is particularly well done. But, as a fair warning to my conservative lovies, it is not without it's sex, drugs and rock n' roll. So reader be ware!
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm sort of at a loss right now. I can't give this book less than five stars. It's brilliantly written. The prose is beautiful...genius really. I dream of writing prose like this. The story is redemptive and hopeful. But that's the way it ends. It starts out on an entirely different note.
In fact, at first I hated it. I appreciated the writing, but I did NOT like the main character. I did NOT like her friends. I did NOT like the things they were doing, and I could not possibly see how it could end well. For anyone. I even toyed with the idea of putting it down for good - but I was morbidly curious as to how it would end. I will say that for my conservative reading friends, you won't want to read it. Drinking, sex, drugs...all up close and personal, and for some it will be too personal. The author makes little comment on the activities of an out of control group of queen bee drama queens in a small Connecticut high school. And so at first the tone feels very amoral. Thus I marked it as both adult and young adult fiction. I'm honestly not sure I think many high school students are mature enough to understand why the amoral tone of the first half is so key to understanding the characters. Thus it may come off as an endorsement of bad behavior, which it is not.
And then things switch as the main character realizes that unless she figures herself out, she is going to relive this day in her life into forever. Through one mistake after another - trial and error really - Sam Kingston, Queen Bee extraordinaire, figures out what it means to have some sense of compassion for another human being. She realizes the blessings of a day - just one day - of family, of friends, of love. And in the end you actually feel her loss.
And that is the brilliance of Lauren Oliver's skill. She doesn't force you to see things as Sam sees them. She lets you live it without a lot of moral commentary. So when Sam starts to see it, you as the reader start to see it. Rarely does a book explore the popular girl's perspective in a way that is honest. Usually that girl (or those girls), the "it" girls, are stereotypes instead of fleshed out human beings. Don't get me wrong. These are some mean girls...Mean with a capital M. But they are more than that. Seriously brilliant book.
View all my reviews
So I read this in January - one of my fave reads this year so far. Well, actually I've had a number of those, but this book is particularly well done. But, as a fair warning to my conservative lovies, it is not without it's sex, drugs and rock n' roll. So reader be ware!
Before I Fall by Lauren OliverMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm sort of at a loss right now. I can't give this book less than five stars. It's brilliantly written. The prose is beautiful...genius really. I dream of writing prose like this. The story is redemptive and hopeful. But that's the way it ends. It starts out on an entirely different note.
In fact, at first I hated it. I appreciated the writing, but I did NOT like the main character. I did NOT like her friends. I did NOT like the things they were doing, and I could not possibly see how it could end well. For anyone. I even toyed with the idea of putting it down for good - but I was morbidly curious as to how it would end. I will say that for my conservative reading friends, you won't want to read it. Drinking, sex, drugs...all up close and personal, and for some it will be too personal. The author makes little comment on the activities of an out of control group of queen bee drama queens in a small Connecticut high school. And so at first the tone feels very amoral. Thus I marked it as both adult and young adult fiction. I'm honestly not sure I think many high school students are mature enough to understand why the amoral tone of the first half is so key to understanding the characters. Thus it may come off as an endorsement of bad behavior, which it is not.
And then things switch as the main character realizes that unless she figures herself out, she is going to relive this day in her life into forever. Through one mistake after another - trial and error really - Sam Kingston, Queen Bee extraordinaire, figures out what it means to have some sense of compassion for another human being. She realizes the blessings of a day - just one day - of family, of friends, of love. And in the end you actually feel her loss.
And that is the brilliance of Lauren Oliver's skill. She doesn't force you to see things as Sam sees them. She lets you live it without a lot of moral commentary. So when Sam starts to see it, you as the reader start to see it. Rarely does a book explore the popular girl's perspective in a way that is honest. Usually that girl (or those girls), the "it" girls, are stereotypes instead of fleshed out human beings. Don't get me wrong. These are some mean girls...Mean with a capital M. But they are more than that. Seriously brilliant book.
View all my reviews
Monday, March 14, 2011
Those Bills Are Ruining My Feng Shui
So last night I didn't sleep so well. Could be the fact that almost any time Sunday night rolls around and I know I have to get up for work in the morning, my body sort of freaks out. Could be little miss Julia next door crying intermittently throughout the night. I love the kid but sleep! And oh how I love my rest. Maybe it was a combo of both of those things.
But then I got home. And I looked at the bed I'm sleeping in. Don't get me wrong because I'm super grateful to have a bed to crash in at night and my brother and his wife and his adorable children are pretty sweet for letting me live in their house while I try to figure my life out.
But that bed sitch. Hmmm. I gots to do something about it. See, I don't have a lot of furniture and no desk or shelf to put odds and ends upon when they arrive. So I sort of let it pile up on the bed...just a little. Lest you get ideas in your head that a call to Hoarders is needed because let me assure you, it is not. I know denial is the first stage but I'm a born chucker. I chuck stuff out that I do not have any need for. And I like it. I love the feeling of a good cleanse of crap-o-la. So really, it's more a space/furniture issue.
Amongst the papers sitting atop the bed are mah bills. Ugh...we do not need to get started on that nonsuch. But anyway, there they sit, taunting me, reminding me. Along with some books and a few journals (what can I say, I have a thing for journals and books). And perhaps that, my purse, some Mucinex and my ear buds, mean that maybe, just maybe, I'm not living in optimal feng shui.
Maybe my sleep is affected by all this stuff. Like the bills are calling out to me as they lay by my side. And I stress stress stress in my subconscious over it. Hmmm...so maybe there is a better way. There must be.
What it really has me thinking about is space of my own. Furniture. Bookshelves. Desks. Beds. Dressers. Couches. TVs. Apartments!!! Oh how I long to decorate a little place of my own. You know, I think that would help a great deal. So here is to finding a J.O.B.! I need me one of those!
But then I got home. And I looked at the bed I'm sleeping in. Don't get me wrong because I'm super grateful to have a bed to crash in at night and my brother and his wife and his adorable children are pretty sweet for letting me live in their house while I try to figure my life out.
But that bed sitch. Hmmm. I gots to do something about it. See, I don't have a lot of furniture and no desk or shelf to put odds and ends upon when they arrive. So I sort of let it pile up on the bed...just a little. Lest you get ideas in your head that a call to Hoarders is needed because let me assure you, it is not. I know denial is the first stage but I'm a born chucker. I chuck stuff out that I do not have any need for. And I like it. I love the feeling of a good cleanse of crap-o-la. So really, it's more a space/furniture issue.
Amongst the papers sitting atop the bed are mah bills. Ugh...we do not need to get started on that nonsuch. But anyway, there they sit, taunting me, reminding me. Along with some books and a few journals (what can I say, I have a thing for journals and books). And perhaps that, my purse, some Mucinex and my ear buds, mean that maybe, just maybe, I'm not living in optimal feng shui.
Maybe my sleep is affected by all this stuff. Like the bills are calling out to me as they lay by my side. And I stress stress stress in my subconscious over it. Hmmm...so maybe there is a better way. There must be.
What it really has me thinking about is space of my own. Furniture. Bookshelves. Desks. Beds. Dressers. Couches. TVs. Apartments!!! Oh how I long to decorate a little place of my own. You know, I think that would help a great deal. So here is to finding a J.O.B.! I need me one of those!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Um...The Biebs and Rascal Flatts..Yes Please!
Perhaps I'm still twelve. And by some strange mystery of science, I fastforwarded through twenty-some-odd years into my thirties. I don't know. But tonight I was feeling a little country. Oh TXas...how you are growing on me despite all my efforts to stay East Coast Citified. So anywho, I went onto Itunes because I was wanting to get my country on and see what sorts of tunes I could find.
And there it was. The Biebs and Rascal Flatts. Singing a song called "That Should Be Me" and I thought, yes, that should be me. Buying this song, that is. And so I did. And so I'm twelve because why else would I buy a song not just featuring the Biebs...no, my friends, Rascal Flatts take second billing to Mr. Justin Bieber. Wha????
I bought a few more songs to go along with said purchase..."Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not". Uh, duh...it's pretty awesome is what it is. "Don't You Wanna Stay". Yes I do. I do want to stay. I don't know where, but I want to stay. That's all I know.
And then there was that one time I bought some Brad Paisley after my sister-in-law introduced me to his general stupendousness. So I bought a few of his songs that one time.
And next thing I know the Beibs is on my play list. But come on! Rascal Flatts and the Beibs people. I'm totally on board with that action.
Anyway, all this stuff didn't really really remind me of being twelve...thank heavens! That wasn't a good era for yours truly. Not one bit. But it did remind me of some of my younger years. Back in the day when I used to go country it up at the Palace with my girls and Adrienne saying, "Who owns the room?" And our obvious reply, "We do!" Because we did. I mean seriously we did. The Palace was, once upon a time, a dance club in Provo, UT. And folks, we were regulars on country night where we danced our little hearts out pretty much all night long.
Country swing dancing is pretty much the bomb. No really. You have no idea if you haven't done it. We had some serious fun back in the day. Oh to be twenty again, to be cute and perky and to stay up til all hours dancing it up with the cowboys or the wanna be cowboys.
You know, I'm starting to take a serious look at my life and think maybe this whole TXas cowboy thing was meant to be all along. Haha...maybe I'm not as East Coast city girl as I thought I was. But let's not admit that out loud. I mean, I'm still mostly just city girl. With a latent country girl side...who has a secret longing for a cowboy, a country tune or two, and a little bit of swing dancing on the side.
And there it was. The Biebs and Rascal Flatts. Singing a song called "That Should Be Me" and I thought, yes, that should be me. Buying this song, that is. And so I did. And so I'm twelve because why else would I buy a song not just featuring the Biebs...no, my friends, Rascal Flatts take second billing to Mr. Justin Bieber. Wha????
I bought a few more songs to go along with said purchase..."Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not". Uh, duh...it's pretty awesome is what it is. "Don't You Wanna Stay". Yes I do. I do want to stay. I don't know where, but I want to stay. That's all I know.
And then there was that one time I bought some Brad Paisley after my sister-in-law introduced me to his general stupendousness. So I bought a few of his songs that one time.
And next thing I know the Beibs is on my play list. But come on! Rascal Flatts and the Beibs people. I'm totally on board with that action.
Anyway, all this stuff didn't really really remind me of being twelve...thank heavens! That wasn't a good era for yours truly. Not one bit. But it did remind me of some of my younger years. Back in the day when I used to go country it up at the Palace with my girls and Adrienne saying, "Who owns the room?" And our obvious reply, "We do!" Because we did. I mean seriously we did. The Palace was, once upon a time, a dance club in Provo, UT. And folks, we were regulars on country night where we danced our little hearts out pretty much all night long.
Country swing dancing is pretty much the bomb. No really. You have no idea if you haven't done it. We had some serious fun back in the day. Oh to be twenty again, to be cute and perky and to stay up til all hours dancing it up with the cowboys or the wanna be cowboys.
You know, I'm starting to take a serious look at my life and think maybe this whole TXas cowboy thing was meant to be all along. Haha...maybe I'm not as East Coast city girl as I thought I was. But let's not admit that out loud. I mean, I'm still mostly just city girl. With a latent country girl side...who has a secret longing for a cowboy, a country tune or two, and a little bit of swing dancing on the side.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Let Us Discuss Cowboys!
The other day I got an email from a friend in the D.C. He was asking if I'd kissed any cowboys..to which I had to sadly say no. No I have not kissed any cowboys. And then I made some silly joke about the Cowboys...as in football...as in hook up so I can get mah bills paid! Um yep...that's totally my style - hooking up with rich folk to pay my bills!
But actually, I've been thinking about the real variety of cowboys, expecially since I went to see the PBR - that's the Profession Bull Riders. Yup. It's official. I've given up all my high school morals, all I held dear and true, and I went to the rodeo. The R.O.D.E.O. Yours truly...moi! At a professional event, none-the-less.
You see in junior high/high school, I got this idea into my mind that rodeos were nothing but cruel to the animals and how dare they and how totally socially unacceptable and irresponsible of those cowboys...to treat an animal in such a way. Well, I learned something, let me tell you. And it is irresponsible, that is fur sure! But not because it's cruel to an animal.
Who gets on the back of a 1,000 pound beast, and an angry beast at that, and tries to hold on for eight seconds, I ask you? Eight seconds, you might scoff. Big deal. Oh that's what I thought. Now I'm not going to lie. I've been to a rodeo in my day, morals and all that nonsuch. But I didn't pay attention. Let's be honest, I just didn't care for rodeos. It had not one thing to do with my morals. Anyways, so back to eight seconds. Eight seconds is super long when it comes to getting on the back of a ginormous beast that is bucking around all angry like and snorting and throwing its horns around. Speaking of irresponsible...
So there I was, sitting in the Cowboy's stadium - poetic, isn't it? And I was watching those cowboys (not the footballing type) getting on the backs of those 1,000 pound beasts. And believe you me, I was cheering them on for all I was worth, hoping that they would stay on and not get bucked off before their eight seconds were up. Those types of cowboys might have a thing or two to say to the footballing sort about what's what when it comes to toughness. And boy-howdy was it exciting!
Now don't you fret and don't you worry. I'm not about to go falling in love with that sort of cowboy. Because well, it really isn't my scene. I mean, I'm a big fan now. But I'm hardly the type of girl to go chasing after a bull rider. Hmmm...but maybe not one of those rodeo types but still one that wears a cowboy hat once in a while and says "ma'am" and likes to ride his horse. Maybe, just maybe one of those will do.
But actually, I've been thinking about the real variety of cowboys, expecially since I went to see the PBR - that's the Profession Bull Riders. Yup. It's official. I've given up all my high school morals, all I held dear and true, and I went to the rodeo. The R.O.D.E.O. Yours truly...moi! At a professional event, none-the-less.
You see in junior high/high school, I got this idea into my mind that rodeos were nothing but cruel to the animals and how dare they and how totally socially unacceptable and irresponsible of those cowboys...to treat an animal in such a way. Well, I learned something, let me tell you. And it is irresponsible, that is fur sure! But not because it's cruel to an animal.
Who gets on the back of a 1,000 pound beast, and an angry beast at that, and tries to hold on for eight seconds, I ask you? Eight seconds, you might scoff. Big deal. Oh that's what I thought. Now I'm not going to lie. I've been to a rodeo in my day, morals and all that nonsuch. But I didn't pay attention. Let's be honest, I just didn't care for rodeos. It had not one thing to do with my morals. Anyways, so back to eight seconds. Eight seconds is super long when it comes to getting on the back of a ginormous beast that is bucking around all angry like and snorting and throwing its horns around. Speaking of irresponsible...
So there I was, sitting in the Cowboy's stadium - poetic, isn't it? And I was watching those cowboys (not the footballing type) getting on the backs of those 1,000 pound beasts. And believe you me, I was cheering them on for all I was worth, hoping that they would stay on and not get bucked off before their eight seconds were up. Those types of cowboys might have a thing or two to say to the footballing sort about what's what when it comes to toughness. And boy-howdy was it exciting!
Now don't you fret and don't you worry. I'm not about to go falling in love with that sort of cowboy. Because well, it really isn't my scene. I mean, I'm a big fan now. But I'm hardly the type of girl to go chasing after a bull rider. Hmmm...but maybe not one of those rodeo types but still one that wears a cowboy hat once in a while and says "ma'am" and likes to ride his horse. Maybe, just maybe one of those will do.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Does It Count?
It better count...even if it is, technically speaking, Saturday. I guess I sort of let the time get away from me.
So funny thing happened on the way to the forum...or maybe on the way to the temple. And maybe it was in the temple rather than on the way to the temple. But in any case, funny thing happened. I'm getting to ready to go in for the session when I see a couple I totally recognize, so I do a double take and wait for it. You know, when you know something is coming to your memory, finding its way out of the labyrinth that is your mind, and then boom, you remember. John and Hannah Smith. I know, I know...crazy, huh? You just never know what you might expect to happen when you go to the temple.
Well here is the thing about John and Hannah Smith. They are lawyers. I knew them in back in my VA days when I used to attend a singles ward, which I have some things to say about those places, but I'll spare you that drama right at the moment and just go on to say that John Smith was a member of our bishopbric, and in general, just an all around nice guy. So there I am, smiling and thinking about how it's such a small world. And then it hits me. John and Hannah Smith are lawyers! Bing bing bing...another connection in the lawyering world of Dallas.
So then John Smith says to me, "How do you I know you?" All I have to say is "Colonial Ward." And then I smile. It's all coming back to him and Hannah Smith. And yes, aren't their names delightful...it's like this perfect little pioneer couple name. I heart it a great deal. Anyway, so now that we've chatted and such, and I'm leaving the temple, John Smith sees me one more time and gives me his business card and says to send on my resume and such and I'm just thinking hmmmmm....one never knows what will happen when one goes to the temple.
Maybe it will lead to a dream job, maybe not. But I sure do like that I got to see them...what a delightful couple that John and Hannah Smith.
So funny thing happened on the way to the forum...or maybe on the way to the temple. And maybe it was in the temple rather than on the way to the temple. But in any case, funny thing happened. I'm getting to ready to go in for the session when I see a couple I totally recognize, so I do a double take and wait for it. You know, when you know something is coming to your memory, finding its way out of the labyrinth that is your mind, and then boom, you remember. John and Hannah Smith. I know, I know...crazy, huh? You just never know what you might expect to happen when you go to the temple.
Well here is the thing about John and Hannah Smith. They are lawyers. I knew them in back in my VA days when I used to attend a singles ward, which I have some things to say about those places, but I'll spare you that drama right at the moment and just go on to say that John Smith was a member of our bishopbric, and in general, just an all around nice guy. So there I am, smiling and thinking about how it's such a small world. And then it hits me. John and Hannah Smith are lawyers! Bing bing bing...another connection in the lawyering world of Dallas.
So then John Smith says to me, "How do you I know you?" All I have to say is "Colonial Ward." And then I smile. It's all coming back to him and Hannah Smith. And yes, aren't their names delightful...it's like this perfect little pioneer couple name. I heart it a great deal. Anyway, so now that we've chatted and such, and I'm leaving the temple, John Smith sees me one more time and gives me his business card and says to send on my resume and such and I'm just thinking hmmmmm....one never knows what will happen when one goes to the temple.
Maybe it will lead to a dream job, maybe not. But I sure do like that I got to see them...what a delightful couple that John and Hannah Smith.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Over It!
I'm just writing this post to tell self-pity and all parties associated with...I'm just over you.
Every once in a while...okay...maybe on like a daily basis...I get this temptation to give in and just feel bad about my life. A la the following:
Don't have a job; don't have a life; don't have a friend of the male variety; don't even own my own car; scared about the bills; want to lose weight...blah blah blah.
Usually any one of those things, or any other number of "woes" I have, is enough to send me into a funk. I might cry over it. I might get really upset and throw any number of temper tantrums. Worst of all, the funk might turn into depression. Then I'm just listless and lifeless.
But recently I've found that the cure is not to give in. I refuse to let it get to me. You know, I really honestly believe that every day, God is trying to teach us a lesson. Not in a mean, school marmish, narrow minded sort of way. Not in a nagging, haggish sort of way. Not in a scary old man sort of way. More like a patient, wise, loving Heavenly Father sort of way. And I think the lesson He's wanted me to learn is that I get to choose. I get to choose if I am going to dwell on things that make me feel bad about myself and my life. I get to choose if I am going to think in a way that is open minded about my blessings and my future life.
It's easy to think you have it hard when all you dwell on is what hurts. And trust me, it hurts to not have a job or to feel lonely.
But It also feels really good to think of the future and all the endless possibilities. I could write a novel and I could get a job in publishing and I could move to New York or stay here in Texas. I could meet a really great guy tomorrow...or the next day or the next!
I won't always be job-less or car-less or boyfriend-less. And that is why I am over you self-pity. You haven't helped get one thing that I've wanted. Not one itty-bitty tiny little thing! You've only made me feel bad about myself and my life. You've only brought me down. In fact, I think you might have been the most destructive thing in my life. And so good-bye. You are no longer welcome here, thank you very much. Because I get to decide.
And I decide that my life is pretty darn fab.u.lous. The future is full of wonderful and mysterious possibilities. And I am a very lucky girl because I get to discover all of those possibilities.
Every once in a while...okay...maybe on like a daily basis...I get this temptation to give in and just feel bad about my life. A la the following:
Don't have a job; don't have a life; don't have a friend of the male variety; don't even own my own car; scared about the bills; want to lose weight...blah blah blah.
Usually any one of those things, or any other number of "woes" I have, is enough to send me into a funk. I might cry over it. I might get really upset and throw any number of temper tantrums. Worst of all, the funk might turn into depression. Then I'm just listless and lifeless.
But recently I've found that the cure is not to give in. I refuse to let it get to me. You know, I really honestly believe that every day, God is trying to teach us a lesson. Not in a mean, school marmish, narrow minded sort of way. Not in a nagging, haggish sort of way. Not in a scary old man sort of way. More like a patient, wise, loving Heavenly Father sort of way. And I think the lesson He's wanted me to learn is that I get to choose. I get to choose if I am going to dwell on things that make me feel bad about myself and my life. I get to choose if I am going to think in a way that is open minded about my blessings and my future life.
It's easy to think you have it hard when all you dwell on is what hurts. And trust me, it hurts to not have a job or to feel lonely.
But It also feels really good to think of the future and all the endless possibilities. I could write a novel and I could get a job in publishing and I could move to New York or stay here in Texas. I could meet a really great guy tomorrow...or the next day or the next!
I won't always be job-less or car-less or boyfriend-less. And that is why I am over you self-pity. You haven't helped get one thing that I've wanted. Not one itty-bitty tiny little thing! You've only made me feel bad about myself and my life. You've only brought me down. In fact, I think you might have been the most destructive thing in my life. And so good-bye. You are no longer welcome here, thank you very much. Because I get to decide.
And I decide that my life is pretty darn fab.u.lous. The future is full of wonderful and mysterious possibilities. And I am a very lucky girl because I get to discover all of those possibilities.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wants
A list of things I want to be:
I want to be clever...and write clever things and tell clever stories about my fascinating life.
I want to be a writer (for a living...not just for funsies).
I want to be a girlfriend (and some day a wife and a mother...but I'll take girlfriend first).
I want to be a pianist. Turns out my parents were right.
I want to be kind. Hmmm...I'm always impressed with people who are kind.
I want to be wise because I have lots of decisions to make and I want to make them wisely.
I want to be fit...I ran five miles today :).
I want to be charitable. All things considered, this is the most important thing to be. Charitable.
I want to be clever...and write clever things and tell clever stories about my fascinating life.
I want to be a writer (for a living...not just for funsies).
I want to be a girlfriend (and some day a wife and a mother...but I'll take girlfriend first).
I want to be a pianist. Turns out my parents were right.
I want to be kind. Hmmm...I'm always impressed with people who are kind.
I want to be wise because I have lots of decisions to make and I want to make them wisely.
I want to be fit...I ran five miles today :).
I want to be charitable. All things considered, this is the most important thing to be. Charitable.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
And Then There Was Hope...
I like the way hopefulness feels. I wonder how others feel when they feel it. I wonder if they get the same warm feeling inside their stomachs. If everything feels weightless. If taking in a breath feels like a renewal, like all the doubt is being washed away and light is coming in. If they want to smile and smile and smile.
I've been feeling very hopeful the last few days. It feels good, sort of the way you feel after a long winter. I remember this one winter in Virginia. It was a doozy. We had ten snow days that year. TEN! It was unheard of. We had one entire week off from school. And then there was spring. And spring in Virginia is probably one of the most beautiful things I have seen. Trees blossom into colors I didn't know existed in nature. If I close my eyes, I can see cherry blossoms on the Mall. I can see the sunlight through the petals, everything covered in fresh, soft pink. Pink falling everywhere. Spring had never felt so good or so welcome in all my life.
And that is like hope and how I feel right now. I really have no idea what path my life is going to take. But I'm not at all afraid, either. I just take a deep breath, and feel all that light coming in and know that whatever comes, it's going to be beautiful and perfect. Like pink blossoms floating everywhere.
I've been feeling very hopeful the last few days. It feels good, sort of the way you feel after a long winter. I remember this one winter in Virginia. It was a doozy. We had ten snow days that year. TEN! It was unheard of. We had one entire week off from school. And then there was spring. And spring in Virginia is probably one of the most beautiful things I have seen. Trees blossom into colors I didn't know existed in nature. If I close my eyes, I can see cherry blossoms on the Mall. I can see the sunlight through the petals, everything covered in fresh, soft pink. Pink falling everywhere. Spring had never felt so good or so welcome in all my life.
And that is like hope and how I feel right now. I really have no idea what path my life is going to take. But I'm not at all afraid, either. I just take a deep breath, and feel all that light coming in and know that whatever comes, it's going to be beautiful and perfect. Like pink blossoms floating everywhere.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Juliet
I have a love for Shakespeare and a love for Romeo and Juliet...that being the first Shakespeare play I ever read. Teaching it brought me a whole new appreciation for the story. And I love derivatives of the story as well...or at least in theory I do. The problem is, I have yet to find an author who does Shakespeare's tale justice. I recently listened to the book Juliet by Ann Fortier. And this is my most recent book review from Goodreads.
Juliet by Anne Fortier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Alright, so I'm going to go ahead and give this three stars but with some serious caveats.
First, it wasn't really what I expected. I thought it would be a nice love story about a girl with some connection to Juliet from, forgive the obvious note here, Romeo and Juliet. I did not expect it to be a romance meets "historical" meets thriller book. And I have to admit that is the part I really really really did NOT like so much - the thriller part, that is.
I did like the history Fortier set up. She tells the "true" story of Romeo and Juliet. And it was a pretty good story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, actually. In fact, I think she ought just tell that story and that story alone. The first half to two thirds of the book were good/decent, and I was enjoying it.
And then she went all James Patterson. I knew it was coming because the main character was obviously caught up in some drama about her mother's death and her mysterious inheritance, all related to Juliet. I just didn't realize it would be so...so...so hokie and overwrought. You know?
So I actually listened to this (thank you Audible for the free book). And at the end, I was getting confused because I couldn't focus. It was just so silly, and I kind of didn't care all that much anymore. I even found myself rolling my eyes and scoffing aloud at the sheer ridiculousness of the direction the plot took, the lines, just everything. And it didn't help that the reader was so dramatic, either (nor did I love her voice, but that has nothing to do with the material she was reading, so I won't make an issue of it).
In any case, I know this isn't a glowing review and it sounds more like a two star book than a three star book, but like I said, I have to give Fortier props for a clever and fun twist on the "real" Romeo and Juliet, and so I'll say three stars. But I know this doesn't mean anyone is going to run out to read it...at least not based on this review. Enough said.
View all my reviews
Juliet by Anne FortierMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Alright, so I'm going to go ahead and give this three stars but with some serious caveats.
First, it wasn't really what I expected. I thought it would be a nice love story about a girl with some connection to Juliet from, forgive the obvious note here, Romeo and Juliet. I did not expect it to be a romance meets "historical" meets thriller book. And I have to admit that is the part I really really really did NOT like so much - the thriller part, that is.
I did like the history Fortier set up. She tells the "true" story of Romeo and Juliet. And it was a pretty good story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, actually. In fact, I think she ought just tell that story and that story alone. The first half to two thirds of the book were good/decent, and I was enjoying it.
And then she went all James Patterson. I knew it was coming because the main character was obviously caught up in some drama about her mother's death and her mysterious inheritance, all related to Juliet. I just didn't realize it would be so...so...so hokie and overwrought. You know?
So I actually listened to this (thank you Audible for the free book). And at the end, I was getting confused because I couldn't focus. It was just so silly, and I kind of didn't care all that much anymore. I even found myself rolling my eyes and scoffing aloud at the sheer ridiculousness of the direction the plot took, the lines, just everything. And it didn't help that the reader was so dramatic, either (nor did I love her voice, but that has nothing to do with the material she was reading, so I won't make an issue of it).
In any case, I know this isn't a glowing review and it sounds more like a two star book than a three star book, but like I said, I have to give Fortier props for a clever and fun twist on the "real" Romeo and Juliet, and so I'll say three stars. But I know this doesn't mean anyone is going to run out to read it...at least not based on this review. Enough said.
View all my reviews
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Other Paths
I mentioned a few posts back a speech given at my graduation commencement ceremony. Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, spoke about his law career and how becoming the governor was never on his agenda nor did he ever picture that path as a law student.
I feel like I've come to this crossroads in my life. And now I have to make a choice about what I want from my future. I went to law school, but I'm not completely sure why, at least not right now. I still think it was the correct choice, and I don't regret it at all. However, I'm starting to wonder if this is the end that I want - a career in a law firm or for some public entity, like the city or the state. I really don't think it is. UGH!
So that of course has me asking myself what I want. What do I love doing? I love literature. I love books. I love reading and writing and being surrounded by ideas. So where does that lead? Does it lead me back to the classroom? Does it lead me to the publishing industry? And can I stay in TXas and do that? Or do I need to move?
I feel so much uncertainty about where I will end up when all is said and done. But I have this feeling that I cannot shake. I feel like now is the time to be brave and to find the job I really really really want. I'm terrified. But my instincts tell me that this feeling is not going to go away until I discover what it is that I want to do.
Why is life like this?
I feel like I've come to this crossroads in my life. And now I have to make a choice about what I want from my future. I went to law school, but I'm not completely sure why, at least not right now. I still think it was the correct choice, and I don't regret it at all. However, I'm starting to wonder if this is the end that I want - a career in a law firm or for some public entity, like the city or the state. I really don't think it is. UGH!
So that of course has me asking myself what I want. What do I love doing? I love literature. I love books. I love reading and writing and being surrounded by ideas. So where does that lead? Does it lead me back to the classroom? Does it lead me to the publishing industry? And can I stay in TXas and do that? Or do I need to move?
I feel so much uncertainty about where I will end up when all is said and done. But I have this feeling that I cannot shake. I feel like now is the time to be brave and to find the job I really really really want. I'm terrified. But my instincts tell me that this feeling is not going to go away until I discover what it is that I want to do.
Why is life like this?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Oh New York...
I went to see The Adjustment Bureau, and anyone who knows me knows why. Because it stars my fave - Matty Damon...sigh. He's so dreamy. In that boy next door kind of way. And I really go for that. The movie was entertaining enough, if kind of (super) hokie-ish. But it did get me thinking. And no, not about fate and free will. I mean, we all think about that sometimes, and maybe someday I'll offer up my thoughts on the subject.
In the mean time, let's focus. On New York. That is what the movie got me thinking about. I've missed that city a lot lately. It started at Christmas. I just really like the way New York feels at Christmas time. And then I made that faves list and raved about the getting lost in the snow storm and Yankees Stadium. As my niece Cora said, "My heart has been longing." After watching the movie and seeing scenes from all over the city, I feel nostalgic and sad.
A girl never knows her path in life, how things will turn out. When I came to TXas, I was certain it was a good idea. I still think it is a good thing to be here. But I can't stop thinking about New York. I've moved a lot. And when I move, I really go for it. Utah to Virginia to Nevada to New Jersey to Texas. WOW! That is quite a list.
I remember the first time I came to New York. I was nineteen. It was quite the experience...I'll never forget it. Everything seemed so fast and crazy, and I can admit that I was a little afraid. I thought to myself that it was a place I could never live. Boston and D.C. were also on the agenda for that trip, and I could totally see myself either place. They are big cities, but nothing is like NYC for sheer chaos. Still, I thought New York was great, and I was glad I got to see it. But that place. It has this way of getting under your skin and growing on you. It's beautiful and fascinating and scary and even at times hideous.
I'm not saying I'm moving to New York City. I'm not saying that I'm not. I'm just saying that I miss it. And it's sort of starting to freak me out.
In the mean time, let's focus. On New York. That is what the movie got me thinking about. I've missed that city a lot lately. It started at Christmas. I just really like the way New York feels at Christmas time. And then I made that faves list and raved about the getting lost in the snow storm and Yankees Stadium. As my niece Cora said, "My heart has been longing." After watching the movie and seeing scenes from all over the city, I feel nostalgic and sad.
A girl never knows her path in life, how things will turn out. When I came to TXas, I was certain it was a good idea. I still think it is a good thing to be here. But I can't stop thinking about New York. I've moved a lot. And when I move, I really go for it. Utah to Virginia to Nevada to New Jersey to Texas. WOW! That is quite a list.
I remember the first time I came to New York. I was nineteen. It was quite the experience...I'll never forget it. Everything seemed so fast and crazy, and I can admit that I was a little afraid. I thought to myself that it was a place I could never live. Boston and D.C. were also on the agenda for that trip, and I could totally see myself either place. They are big cities, but nothing is like NYC for sheer chaos. Still, I thought New York was great, and I was glad I got to see it. But that place. It has this way of getting under your skin and growing on you. It's beautiful and fascinating and scary and even at times hideous.
I'm not saying I'm moving to New York City. I'm not saying that I'm not. I'm just saying that I miss it. And it's sort of starting to freak me out.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reinvention
During the day, I'll have these flashes of brilliance, and I'll think about how I need to write about this or that. And then I come home and eat and chill and such. Watch some Hulu. Chat with friends or family. You know...the usual.
And I forget. All those flashes of brilliance are gone, and I'm sitting here with writer's block, wondering what to do, what to do. But here are a few topics I considered for a brief mo. (See if you can guess the reference for "mo"...super big brownie points if you get it!)
I wonder if I should opine on BYU's decision to suspend that Davies kid from the basketball team. I've discussed it and heard about it enough, and besides I don't want this blog to get so serious. (Cough, I agree with the decision BYU made, cough.)
I've thought about politics...and I don't want to write about that either. Also too serious and too argue-ie. Politics schmolotics. I don't want this place to be that sort of place.
Actually, many of the things I've thought about writing are controversial and thus would produce the kind of blog I'm hoping to avoid. I want this to be a happy place. Not a place where people leave angry comments and fight back and forth over the merits of an honor code or the global financial crisis (I'd rather leave that stuff to the experts...like Colbert and Stewart).
This is what I do know. As a blogger, I can be anyone. You see, in my real life, arguing (or discussing vehemently, take your pick) is a norm. I'll think to myself, when did I become the girl who will argue over everything? Since always, according to the fam (and if I'm being honest, the fam may have a point). But maybe I don't want to be that girl. Or maybe I want a place where I can talk about funny things that happen as I'm out and about living my life. Maybe sometimes I want to be silly and talk about my faves and my angst and other non-universe altering, non-controversial topics.
In fact, in some ways, that is what this is...a reinvention of sorts. I like that - my blog...me...reinvented.
Look at me...talking like people are reading this. I haven't even told a soul. HA!
And I forget. All those flashes of brilliance are gone, and I'm sitting here with writer's block, wondering what to do, what to do. But here are a few topics I considered for a brief mo. (See if you can guess the reference for "mo"...super big brownie points if you get it!)
I wonder if I should opine on BYU's decision to suspend that Davies kid from the basketball team. I've discussed it and heard about it enough, and besides I don't want this blog to get so serious. (Cough, I agree with the decision BYU made, cough.)
I've thought about politics...and I don't want to write about that either. Also too serious and too argue-ie. Politics schmolotics. I don't want this place to be that sort of place.
Actually, many of the things I've thought about writing are controversial and thus would produce the kind of blog I'm hoping to avoid. I want this to be a happy place. Not a place where people leave angry comments and fight back and forth over the merits of an honor code or the global financial crisis (I'd rather leave that stuff to the experts...like Colbert and Stewart).
This is what I do know. As a blogger, I can be anyone. You see, in my real life, arguing (or discussing vehemently, take your pick) is a norm. I'll think to myself, when did I become the girl who will argue over everything? Since always, according to the fam (and if I'm being honest, the fam may have a point). But maybe I don't want to be that girl. Or maybe I want a place where I can talk about funny things that happen as I'm out and about living my life. Maybe sometimes I want to be silly and talk about my faves and my angst and other non-universe altering, non-controversial topics.
In fact, in some ways, that is what this is...a reinvention of sorts. I like that - my blog...me...reinvented.
Look at me...talking like people are reading this. I haven't even told a soul. HA!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Distractions
I have little habits when I get on the computer. The first button I push is for gmail. And then I'm on facebook. I sort of start surfing through a few of the same spots I always go to (as discussed in a previous post).
And then I remember, oh, right. That blog thing. Hmmmm. I need to write. So here I am. Now that I'm gainfully employed (for the time being, at least), I think about those seven months after the bar. I wonder how many hours I wasted scrolling through the same old websites. How many entries I could have written. How much time I could have spent planning my book or serving other people (insert fave guilt trip here).
And now that I'm back at work, I remember how much I love being productive. So why do I need someone else to tell me to be productive? Why do I need a paycheck to tell me to stop wasting time? UGH!
It's crazy how we sit down in front of these machines and then POOF! An hour is gone. It's so so sooooooooooooooooooooooooo distracting! And I have to stop. I don't really even miss it during the day. A few emails and a glance at FB will do. And of course, my daily blog entry.
And P.S. I am still going to write that book :)!
And then I remember, oh, right. That blog thing. Hmmmm. I need to write. So here I am. Now that I'm gainfully employed (for the time being, at least), I think about those seven months after the bar. I wonder how many hours I wasted scrolling through the same old websites. How many entries I could have written. How much time I could have spent planning my book or serving other people (insert fave guilt trip here).
And now that I'm back at work, I remember how much I love being productive. So why do I need someone else to tell me to be productive? Why do I need a paycheck to tell me to stop wasting time? UGH!
It's crazy how we sit down in front of these machines and then POOF! An hour is gone. It's so so sooooooooooooooooooooooooo distracting! And I have to stop. I don't really even miss it during the day. A few emails and a glance at FB will do. And of course, my daily blog entry.
And P.S. I am still going to write that book :)!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Corner Delis
Today, I was looking out the office windows. Dallas is nice. There are some lovely buildings...and some that are...hmmm. But architecture got me to wondering. How did we come together that way?
One person decides she wants to draw a plan for a pretty structure (or not so pretty, but whatever).
Then someone else decides he'd like in on the action and he will finance the building of the structure (or maybe lots of someones). So they hire folks to engineer it and build it.
And those folks hire people to do the manual labor...contractors, sub-contractors. It goes on until there are many many people who have come together to build something. One by one, buildings go up, and VOILA you have a city center. Then companies come along and rent or buy space in the building, and they run offices. Now all of those people are working together. And those people have to eat. Before you know it, you have yourself a corner deli.
And ain't life grand? Doesn't it seem amazing that we build this way? A little miracle, actually. It happens every day. People everywhere coming together to build things.
One person decides she wants to draw a plan for a pretty structure (or not so pretty, but whatever).
Then someone else decides he'd like in on the action and he will finance the building of the structure (or maybe lots of someones). So they hire folks to engineer it and build it.
And those folks hire people to do the manual labor...contractors, sub-contractors. It goes on until there are many many people who have come together to build something. One by one, buildings go up, and VOILA you have a city center. Then companies come along and rent or buy space in the building, and they run offices. Now all of those people are working together. And those people have to eat. Before you know it, you have yourself a corner deli.
And ain't life grand? Doesn't it seem amazing that we build this way? A little miracle, actually. It happens every day. People everywhere coming together to build things.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Friends
I'm sort of a lucky person when it comes to friends. There are very few areas in my life where I feel as blessed. Not that I'm not blessed with many, many gifts...like an amazing family and faith and education. So I do not want to seem like I am in any way ungrateful for those things. Because I am.
Anyway, I have a lot of friends from a lot of places. Some are a lot like me and some are not so much like me at all. I feel quite blessed to know all of them.
Tonight I got to go to dinner with a friend from law school. It's late. We talked for a long time. It was so good to see him. I'm super tired but also just really grateful. It was a random thing that he happened to be here in the Dallas area. But ain't life grand? He was, for a brief time, and so we got to meet up for dinner. I love it when unplanned things like that just happen out of the blue. Reminds me that the world is a good place, pretty good indeed.
Anyway, I have a lot of friends from a lot of places. Some are a lot like me and some are not so much like me at all. I feel quite blessed to know all of them.
Tonight I got to go to dinner with a friend from law school. It's late. We talked for a long time. It was so good to see him. I'm super tired but also just really grateful. It was a random thing that he happened to be here in the Dallas area. But ain't life grand? He was, for a brief time, and so we got to meet up for dinner. I love it when unplanned things like that just happen out of the blue. Reminds me that the world is a good place, pretty good indeed.
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