Now that it's August, I figure I'll mention I'm still reading the Dante Club. It's getting more interesting....I'm just reading other stuff as well. I'm reading another Janet Evanovich book. I'm up to Hard Eight. And last weekend I bought the latest JD Robb, Origin in death. I've read the first chapter or two...but then I decided I better finsh Hard Eight first, LOL.
And I still haven't finished reading The Light Possessed by Alan Cheuse. I set it down and simply haven't gotten back to it. July proved to be quite busy for me.
Maybe in August I'll find more time to read.
June appears to be bringing hotter weather, starting this weekend. And lots of blooming flowers. Even my tomato plant are strting to grow now. Meanwhile, I have to really start focussing on getting myhouse in order. I have several areas that I want to reorganize as well as throw out any extraneous crap.
Reading wise, I'm currently reading several things. I've been working on The Dante Club, which is holding my attention much better these days. It's a fictional account of real authors Longfellow, Lowell, and Holmes. This group of authors meets to interpret/decipher Dante's Inferno. Soon they find there are a series of murders occurring in Boston based on Dante's Inferno....
Also, I'm reading the next installment in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, Hot Six. Those books are a wonderful guilty pleasure.
And I'm reading a book I purchased at a book signing/author speaking event at a bookstore. It's called The Light Possessed. It's written by Alan Cheuse, though he crossed out the namne and signed M Cheuse. Not sure why....
It's a fictional account of real life artist Georgia O'Keefe. It's based on real events in her life, but it still is fiction. So far, I really like this story, beginning from page one. Where the Dante Club has taken me awhile to get into, this story sucked me in from the beginning. The story is told in different POVs, one per chapter. And the timeline shifts back and forth between chapters, painting a picture of events within and connected to her life. These changes aren't jarring or forced. The story flows with ease and is quite unique and enjoyable.
It's really tough to come up with much to blog about after the holidays. While in the spring and summer I can talk about my garden or places that I visit, there just isn't that much going on during the winter months.
I did finally finish A Catch of Consequence a few weeks ago. The historical context was interesting, but I found the actual storyline to be odd and rather unbelievable (think soap operish), though I do believe the what the main character realizes about herself by the end to be reasonable. The book just didn't grab me as a great novel and not even a fun read.
Now I've moved onto reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. I finished One for the Money last week and have started Two for the Dough. This series is light fun reading about a woman who takes on the job of being a bounty hunter simply because she couldn't find any other job. And it takes place in Jersey, so you can imagine the humor in that.
Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I finished reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. This book precedes the Da Vinci Code.
Ironically, in spite of its slower start, I found this book to be less predictable and I enjoyed it more. But then again I liked the concept of religion vs. science and what all that implies...including a look at the corruption within organized religion that seeks to quiet or destroy those who would disprove their teachings. And it also tinkers around with those mysterious Masons...including a reference to George Bush Sr. What I found the most interesting, was how Brown dealt with the concept of terrorism, having written the book pre-9/11. It sure fit into to the post-9/11 reality that we are in. Scary.....
Since Christmas, I finished reading the Da Vinci Code and Remember When.
Dan Brown's the Da Vinci Code was so good, I can't wait for Sue to mail me her paperback coppy of Angels and Demons. In return, I'm going to send her my copy of the Da Vinci Code. I would classify this book as a smart person's page turner. (Easy read/suspense) Then again, I love suspense mixed with historical/biblical relevance, LOL. In a way it reminds me of the Prophetess that I read in 1999. Both books deal with women's role in religious history.
Nora Roberts/JD Robb book Remember When was a nice mixture of her two genres, though I must admit I thought the Nora Roberts half of the book was stronger. But maybe that's because it introduced new characters. The great thing about finishing this book is I believe the next In Death book hits shelves next week. I'm all set to start reading the next installment. (Without saying, easy read)
However I have started reading a book called A Catch of Consequence. I think the fact that it takes place in Boston around the time of the Boston Tea Party interested me at the time when I bought it. In just the first few pages I have decided this is not "an easy read," but have not decided whether I like it or not. Too soon to tell. (easy read = simple straightforward writing you can whip through. hard read = must read slower to absorb more complex writing and imagery)
My feeling about easy versus hard reads. Easy reads are nice for picking up for 10 minutes at a time here and there. Harder reads require more uninterrupted reading time. Simply put, I enjoy both, depending on time and place. LOL.
I just finished reading a delightful book called "Frenchman's Creek" written by Daphne du Maurier. Out of print in the US, I bought this paperback at a little bookshop in Bath, UK when I visited there last year. Du Maurier, best known for her classic book "Rebecca", shows off her talent at writing splendid double-speak and innuendo in this tale of a woman, who bored with her life at Court, escapes to her husband's childhood home. There she encounters a French pirate and her life becomes anything but boring.
One of the best things about du Maurier's heroine in this book, is that Dona is no damsel in distress. She's a woman who knows what she wants and sees her situation for what it is. I enjoyed reading how she cleverly manipulates situations and those around her to protect the man she loves. That's not to say Dona is a hateful character, just that she is smarter than her peers. No wonder she was bored, LOL! And alas, anyone seeking smut will find none here. But the innuendo is priceless. I highly recommend this book if you can get a copy.
But then again, I haven't met a Daphne du Maurier book I haven't liked. Yet this one still ranks high on my list.
I called out of work today since I had a major headache and I'm wondering if I have a cold coming on. I figured I needed to relax. And this gave me the opportunity to take my comforter to the laundramat and read a book while I was waiting. I'm continuing to read Maeve Binchy's Light a Penny Candle.
Laundramat's can be rather interesting. You see people that you otherwise would not normally encounter. I wondered whether these were regulars or simply people who were put in the situation of having to do their clothes outside of their home. Several were mothers with young children playing amidst the laundry carts. Then there was the occasional older bachelor. And the chinese fellow who runs the place. I found him the most interesting as he was doing laundry for folks who had paid to have him do it for them. Since the change machine was out, folks would ask him for quarters to use for the washers and dryers. In my case I asked him if there was any detergent for sale since I didn't bring enough. Luckily there was a vending machine that sold such a commodity.
My comforter took quite a while to dry, but I finally got it dry enough and headed home, passing signs that read such things as 'Connie Country' and 'Vote for Connie.' I'm still torn. I like how Connie has represented us in the House, voting more as a liberal than a Republican, supporting a woman's right to choose, gay rights, and focussing on local issues. She even voted against the resolution to attack Iraq. But she still is technically a Republican whose seat could determine the control of the House. The situation just sucks. I know there are others who are also torn like me. Torn between wanting to vote for the best candidate and voting to ensure democratic control of the House. :S
Watching Anne of Green Gables...something I haven't seen in years. I meant to catch it from the start at 7 pm but I forgot until almost 8:30. But it appears they are airing the whole thing tonight. :) The whole series of Anne books were favorites of mine from childhood.
As for what I'm currently reading, Sam the Cat, it's a book of short stories and is much more contemporary and from the male perspective. Quite different from Anne of Green Gables, but amusing in its own right. I purchased it at the writer's workshop at Barnes & Noble last year and had it autographed by the author. I found him amusing in person, with good advice on developing characters.
TGIF!
I woke up at 2 am and couldn't sleep. So I turned on a light and read a couple chapters of my JD Robb book. In this particular book, Eve and Roarke go to Dallas for both police business and to deal with personal demons. [Trying not to give away any plot points or anything] Her descriptions of Texas rang true with me, even though I've never been to Dallas. But I've been told Dallas is not unlike Houston, where I lived for a year, from Aug '94-Oct '95. It was clear that she'd been there before and made her futuristic Dallas not far off from the current version. It however was some deep and kinda disturbing reading for 2 am. My hope of falling back to sleep easily didn't materialize. All sorts of work-related stuff kept running through my mind. When I did fall asleep it was not long before my alarm clock went off. *sigh*
ooohhooooohhhhh....I read another blog to find out there's a new JD Robb book out! I've been reading the last one [Reunion in Death], savoring it slowly with the belief it could be the last one for awhile. Now I have one more to read. Purity in Death.
*rubs hands together gleefully*
I forgot to mention about the creepy guy that lives my apartment complex. The one who I keep running into a the pool. I think I mentioned him in a previous entry a couple weeks ago.
When Mom and I were in the pool, he took the chair next to our chairs. Seeing him there, I mumbled the word 'fuck' under my breath. I mean there were plenty of unoccupied chairs he could have taken. He probably recognized my towel. [Note to self: Get a new beach towel] I kinda explained to Mom the reason for why I was not pleased. Since it was so hot and I wanted to avoid this guy like the plague, we stayed in the pool. Eventually dude got in the pool. I had my back turned, but my Mom caught sight of him glaring at me. That just reinforced why I wanted to avoid him. He really gives me the creeps.
Taking the opportunity, we got out of the pool and returned to our chairs. Within a minute or two he followed us back and greeted us with a "How are you ladies doing today?" Friendly enough, but the guy is a total loser that doesn't take a hint. I growled back, "fine" barely looking up from my book. My Mom said not a word. I think he may have gotten the idea and said nothing more. As soon as we were dried off and convinced my Dad and brother weren't joining us, we left. Of course Brian and Dad were just getting out the door as we were coming in. Heck, we only waited two hours, lol. Later I asked Mom if she thought I had been too rude to the guy, but she didn't object to how I handled things. I don't think she cared for the cold glare he had shot my way when we were in the pool.
Could I be lucky enough that he'd get a job somewhere else and leave the state? I just don't like having some grudge-bearing guy hanging around every time I decide to go use the pool. *sigh*
I actually was going to go to the pool today, but all the smoke from those forest fires in Quebec travelled down here making it very hazy. Despite getting my bathing suit on [before I knew about the smoke], I decided I better not. Nothing like some smoke to mess with one's respiratory tract. Also, it wasn't that hot, which was strange considering it was in the mid to high nineties all week. Oh well. Cleaned and finished my JD Robb book, Betrayal in Death instead.
I started reading JD Robb last summer. I started mid-series with Vengeance in Death after many of the ladies on a mailing list I'm subbed to recommended her books. After getting hooked with that book, I went back to the beginning and read them in order. One year later, I've finished 12 of her books. Averaging one a month, lol. I can read them quicker than that, but I don't always start reading the next one right away. Or other things take center stage. Or I'm reading something else, like in May when I was reading Jean Auel's latest. So I've only got a few more Robb books to go. Then I'll have to go through my stack of books and start on something else, LOL. I even have a few that folks have leant me that I really should get to sometime this decade. Hehehehe.....
Last week I finished reading Jean Auel's Shelters of Stone. While I found myself eagerly reading the book to continue following a story I started reading well over 10 years ago, I found it a bit lackluster. While I highly admire her ability to research detailed theory about prehistoric man and weave that into a extensive tale, I find her language boring and the story a bit stiff. There also is a repetitiveness to it, that I strongly suspect is from having written it over nearly a 10 year span. All in all not a bad book, but I've read much better in more recent years. I think I have grown to have higher standards and expectations.
Now I think I'll go back to reading the last few JD Robb books. *g*
Been offline for a bit. Needed a break and I've just been enjoying reading the next couple JD Robb books way too much, lol. Finished Ceremony in Death and have gotten half way through Holiday in Death. Skipped Vengeance in Death since I read that already. It was the first book I picked up of the series. Holiday in Death seems appropriate at the moment since it is set in the Christmas Holiday Season. Murder committed by Santa Claus in 12 Days of Christmas style.
Can someone stick a Roarke under my tree? Or another yummy man willing to satisfy me will work in a pinch. ;)
Any hopes of going on a short vacation over the Christmas Holiday have been dashed after spending over $500 on my cat. Turns out she doesn't have stones but there is some inflammation. She seems to be back to normal, other than being pissed at me for leaving her at the vet for an ultrasound. She was stuck in a cage between two very vocal siamese cats. I think that would have pissed me off, too.
To show her displeasure at me, she ripped a small plant out by its root from its pot. Not something she's ever done before. Hopefully she is over the ordeal now and will stop taking it out on my plants.
I've got about half my shopping done so far, but still have a good bit to go. The short trip to the mall today with my brother accomplished nothing. He managed to buy things for himself--games and accessories for his new Sega Dreamcast. It was too damn miserable to attempt shopping anymore after that. Maybe tomorrow I can give it another try.
Not sure if this has made national news or not....a truck carrying missiles overturned on I-70 near Myersville/Middletown. Folks in that area have been evacuated and don't know when they will be allowed back to their homes. Several co-workers live in that area. I can't help wondering how they are coping since they all have young children. Anthony [who has 3 boys between 4 and 8 yrs old] was to attend another conference and had planned to leave Sunday. I hope this doesn't interfere with his plans. Ironically Scot is away on a golf vacation in Myrtle Beach. I'm sure he must be antsy being away from home once again when something big is occuring. I'm uncertain whether his wife or daughter accompanied him to Myrtle Beach.
I attended a Writer's workshop at Barnes & Noble last night. Very enjoyable. Two authors spoke about their own experiences writing as well as fielding questions from amatuer writers. The two gentlemen who had only met once before bantered off each other with ease. They had great chemistry and lots of good wrting advice.
Alan Cheuse is the resident book critic on NPR and additionally is an author himself. I picked up an personally autographed copy of The Light Possessed, his fictional biography of Georgia O'Keefe.
Matthew Klam is an O. Henry award winning author and has been named by the New Yorker as one of the twenty best young writers. I purchased a personally autographed copy of his book of short stories called Sam the Cat and other stories.
I'll let you know how I like the books. I truly did enjoy hearing them speak and did manage to slip in a question -- what has inspired the development of their characters? How do they go about creating characters that are neither too perfect, nor too flawed? Matt gave a few funny stories about an annoying girlfriend and another acquaintance he'd used as inspiration for a couple characters.
They both agreed that the key to a good story is it's ability to entertain. They talked about the importance of structure and language. When one woman talked of how the thought of people close to her reading her work tended to block her, both insisted 'be prepared to offend--don't censor yourself.' 'Ring true to yourself.'
'Writing is an athletic activity.' If you do find yourself blocked 'step away/write something else.' Oh yeah, they both said that writers tend to lead boring lives, lol. From the perception of a boring life rises the writer's imagination.
Matt talked about having conversations with his characters, reminding me of Shrift's struggle with her own characters as they battle it out in her mind, talking all at once. I believe they quoted Oates saying, 'Writing is like controlled schizophrenia.'
During and after the workshop I talked to two women sitting near me. We discussed writing, jobs, etc. Afterwards, Pam suggested dinner, so she and I stopped at TGI Fridays. In the process of discussing writing and such I learned she used to watch LFN. So you can imagine where the discussion went. LOL. She's new to the area having just moved in with her mom who recently moved to Potomac. She's trying to become a playright after getting degrees in English and Theatre History.
Overall it turned into an enjoyable evening out. Also, I did purchase another J.D. Robb Book, but did not find the next one I needed. Tonight I stopped at Borders and did purchase the next couple books. Hopefully that wil hold me for another month. I'm having a blast reading these books. *g*
Bomb Afghanistan? Well that's exactly what Osama Bin Laden wants. An Afghan American speaks on the subject. A very informative must-read explaining the conditions in Afghanistan and Bin Laden's primary goal of creating a war between Islam and the West.
My parents arrived home yesterday after spending a few days in Virginia Beach. :)
Yesterday, I went to the Silver Diner with Karen/Lady Aeval for lunch. While waiting for her to arrive, I wandered a tiny bit in the area of the mall near the Silver Diner. I found a small family run shop that was selling flag T-shirts, ties, caps and scarves. The shop was doing brisk business as it is nearly impossible to find any American flags in the area. I'm uncertain of the owners' ancestry, but I suspected they may have been from the Middle East. I was very happy to see so many patronizing their shop [which normally does T-shirt printing of mostly touristy shirts...DC, Maryland, etc.]. Hearing stories of malicious behavior toward Arab-Americans has been ticking me off. They are not the ones responsible. They embrace freedom and democracy, as do all Americans.
At the Silver Diner, they had a Red, White, and Blue Plate Special. *g* We had a nice lunch, though much of our conversation surrounded the events of Sept. 11. It's going to be awhile before anyone can put the events of that day aside. And they'll never be forgotten.
While mentioning my lunch with Karen, I need to send out a Happy Birthday to her, for today is her birthday. *g*
We wandered around the mall, but no flags were to be found. But I was able to purchase two JD Robb books and an Eileen Goudge book. The Robb books are the first 2 in the Death series. And the Goudge book is the first part of two...I bought the second book a few months ago on a discount rack, got it home and was disappointed to know I needed to locate the first book. Eileen Goudge's The Last Dance is excellent and I highly recommend it. [I read it last year] I'll let you know about the others once I'm finished.
Driving throughout the area I saw a good number of flags, including one on a PT Cruiser that was just huge. I was afraid he'd cause an accident or something. In my search for red, white and blue, I wandered over to Home Depot and a few other stores before arriving at the craft store Michael's. There I noticed Amy's car parked, so I expected to run into her inside. Which I did. Amy was going to buy some prints for the bare walls of her apartment, but the lines were way long. So instead we decided to rent a couple videos, hang out at my place, and eat pizza. [I gave up on my quest for a flag]
We rented Chocolat with Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp. A very enjoyable film, with poignant performances and a touching story that was both humorous and very human. I would definitely recommend renting Chocolat. You just may want to have some chocolate on hand to satisfy your urge for chocolate from seeing so much of it on your screen. Here's the brief synopsis: Mother and daughter arrive in a small French town {set in the early 1950s, I think?} to set up a Chocolatier. Despite the town mayor's objections to such evil during lent, the townsfolk find themselves drawn to the woman's magical creations.
We also rented the Gift, starring Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi (Friends), Keanu Reeves, Greg Kinnear and Hillary Swank. The Screenplay is written by Billy Bob Thornton--which should have clued me in that this was going to be a strange film. But Cate's performance, despite the films strange nature, pulls you in. She's amazing. This film is neither dull nor predictable. It's a creepy thriller set in a small Southern (redneck) town. Cate plays a widowed mother of 3 boys who supplements her Social Security benefits by acting as a sort of fortune teller, as well as listening to the townsfolks tell their dark secrets. Her psychic dreams lead her to assist the police in their murder investigation and put her in the position to be the murderer's next target. But who around her is the real killer? Like I said, bizarre story with some excellent performances by Blanchett and others. I'd cautiously recommend it to those who like unconventional murder myster thrillers with a bit of the supernatural (psychic powers) mixed in and to fans of Cate Blanchett.
Basically I give a big thumbs up to Chocolat and a lesser thumbs up to the Gift.
I've been reading J.D. Robb's Vengeance in Death. Someone on one of my Nikita lists recommended the Death series of books, suggesting that Roy Dupuis would be perfect for portraying the character Roarke (Eve's love interest). And I agree, with blue contacts, darker hair, and an Irish accent, he could easily become Roarke. *thud*
I just picked up the first book I saw at the bookstore, not realizing it was smack dab in the middle of the series. So I need to go back and read the first four books, lol. Basically the main character, Eve, is a NYCPD homicide detective in the future...I think 2058? It's a gritty crime/murder mystery series, with a bit of romance/sex smattered in there.
My quote for the day is the opening paragraph from chapter eleven, lol. Sounded good to me for a Monday morning (since I'm feeling braindead)...I just need a Roarke. ;)
Quote:
She could think again. Until she'd met Roarke, Eve hadn't realized how many benefits sex had to offer. Feeling limber, focused, and energized, she settled down in her office.