so 'shelf check' is my new favorite comic strip

the beauty of dewey

the ukulele orchestra of great britain does nirvana

my blue brain

Your Brain is Blue

Of all the brain types, yours is the most mellow. You tend to be in a meditative state most of the time. You don't try to think away your troubles. Your thoughts are realistic, fresh, and honest. You truly see things as how they are. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about your friends, your surroundings, and your life.

What Color Is Your Brain?

This is not a bad description of me, but I would guess my brain is more like a mood ring that changes colors from day to day. I love these tests. Always have.

literary (sort of) humor

Rhymes with Orange by Hilary Price

never worry again...

...that you'll miss my latest blog entry.

OK, you can stop laughing now and get off the floor and back into your chair and wipe those tears out of your eyes, and please, stop that silly snickering. Just look at this:

http://www.blip.tv/file/205570/

So maybe this blog isn't one you feel the need to check daily, but there must be some blogs or other websites that you do visit often, and this shows how to let the internet do the work for you. Cool, huh?

yah librarians!

next book

Flight by Sherman Alexie.

I first discovered Sherman Alexie's poetry (which is excellent), then the movie Smoke Signals (which is also excellent), then his book of short stories that the movie is based on: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (which is--can you guess?--excellent). A circuitous route to discovering an author, but that's alright because Alexie's talent is broad and complex and there isn't a bad angle to approach from.

In this novel a teenage boy faces the very adult notion that despite the rightness or wrongness of a cause, violence is not the answer. An orphaned 15 year-old, "Zits" has been shuffled in and out of foster homes, been used and abused, and has developed an understandably negative attitude toward adults and authority. One final lashing out with a gun in a bank leads to an inexplicable travel through time and an opportunity to experience life through the eyes of others--an FBI agent about to kill Indian activists, a young Indian boy present at Little Big Horn, a pilot who finds out one of his flight students has committed an act of terrorism--all facing violent situations that tear lives apart. It's a fantastic plot, but it works. Alexie is so good at portraying pain and compassion without being sentimental. In fact, you might say he's excellent.

sweeeet!

What could be more fun than a Harry Potter theme park?!

one book, one movie

My French Whore by Gene Wilder.

I saw this man whose movies I love (Young Frankenstein and Silver Streak are my favorites) on a talk show last week pushing his novel, so when I saw it on the "new books" shelf at the library I was delighted. It is a short, bittersweet love story (192 pages) that reads quickly and simply.

The plot involves an American soldier captured by the Germans in WWI who pretends to be a famous spy, and as Wilder himself would do with dash, aplomb, and a few close calls, succeeds for a short time to fool his captors. During that time he becomes acquainted with a local whore and a caring relationship develops. This isn't a war novel, and it isn't a romance or a comedy, but it is all of these at once. Fans of Wilder will not be disappointed; this is a character he would carry off with style, but don't expect to find the great American novel here. It is sweet and charming and touching, and that is enough. I enjoyed it.

John Q (2002)
Like Wilder's novel above, your reaction to this movie might depend on your level of fandom (is that a word?) toward the star, in this case Denzel Washington. I like him, so I liked the movie, but if I wasn't a fan, I'm not sure how positive my reaction would have been. The premise of the movie is good: a father loses his health insurance due to a forced reduction in his work hours just when he learns his young son needs a heart transplant to live. The subject is topical, emotional, and important, but this movie tries to make it thrilling when it should be thought-provoking. There is no doubt who is evil (hospitals and health insurance companies and employers, etc.) and who is good (a man trying to do right by his family, that is, you and me), and I don't have a big problem with that scenario, but because I have experienced some of the issues this father faces, I know the evil is institutional, it is never simple, and people do try to help. I guess the topic, maybe because it is personal, makes me want so much more from this movie than it gives. It pulls at your heartstrings, it builds suspense, but taking an emergency room hostage is hardly a solution to the enormous problems this movie presents. I give the movie a C and Denzel an A.

reviews

Now that I have some free time, I'm reading and I've watched a few movies. I'll start with one of each:

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories by Alice Munro.
As you would guess this collection of short stories involves relationships--some past, some present; some good, some bad--all told with Munro's wonderful ability to create real, approachable characters who think and feel with such an honesty that you feel you know them, or, even more amazing, that maybe Munro knows you.

I read a few of her stories years ago, and remember thinking that she was a talented writer, but I didn't feel that connection that I do now. Most of these stories are told by middle-aged women looking back or reluctantly looking around at what their lives have become. That probably explains my reaction now. If you've never read Munro, especially if you're a woman over 30, you'll love discovering this author who speaks for you and about you, and does so so beautifully.

Coincidentally, the last story in this collection, "The Bear Came Over the Mountain," was released last week as the film Away From Her. It's the story of an elderly couple (Julie Christie and Michael Murphy in the lead roles) dealing with Alzheimer's disease, her institutionalization, and the changes that arise in their relationship. Munro's original is touching and a little scary to contemplate. Hopefully, the film will do it justice.

Waking Ned Devine (1998)
In a small town in Ireland someone has won the lottery and two friends aim to find out who it is. They soon learn the (un)lucky fellow didn't handle the news well and died in his bed watching the lottery results. The plan then, becomes how to claim the money for themselves. They soon learn it won't be simple, someone has to pose as Ned, the real winner, and everyone in town has to go along.

You'll never pull so hard for a lie to succeed or a death to occur or a priest to condone it all. But you'll enjoy every minute of this funny film , even the 70 year-old naked man on the motorcycle. (Don't let that turn you off. Believe me, it's funny.)

warning: this film contains educational material

is this funny or is it sad?

Library fundraiser

6 down, 2 to go

Semesters, that is. Slowly but surely the end is coming. I am so looking forward to finally having a job I enjoy. It has been difficult at times to believe I would make it, but I am starting to think it will really happen.

I am enormously thankful for the wonderful support I have received from my family and friends. When I doubted myself, especially my lasting power, there was always someone there to offer support and encouragement. Thank you for not giving up on me when I wanted to give up on myself.

There has been lots of negativity too: "Why do you want to go through all that at your age? It's too late to change now." (What does age have to do with wanting to enjoy life?!) And snickers and smart remarks about how long it is taking me because I can't afford to attend school full-time. And a common question: "Why in the world do you want to be a librarian?" (That one I understand though, because it's not a profession everyone would love, but it is right for me and that's what is important.) Sometimes the smirks and the incredulity get me down, but I am buoyed by the friends who care. I know I would not have persevered on my own.

So thanks again to those of you who spread hope and joy to the lives of others. It has made a difference to me and I hope I can emulate your kindness.

this is where I'd rather be

2 movies and a book

I have finally reached the end of the semester (almost, that is, I have one more paper to write by Friday), so I have been pretty busy and haven't had much time to devote to pleasure reading, but I did manage to finish one of the books I was in the middle of: Angels All Over Town. This was my book club book and it's a romance novel, which I don't ordinarily read, but it wasn't terrible. It definitely meets the genre criteria: a love story is at the center of the plot despite anything else going on, and the ending is a happy one. This characteristic, the guarantee of a happy ending, is the primary reason I don't like romances, but is the main reason people who love them do so.

Aside: I saw an interesting report printed at the library where I volunteer that listed books with 0 checkouts in the past 5 years grouped by genre, and in romance there were only 8. 8! That's incredible in a section that contains thousands of books. It was by far the section with the least number of unused books.

Anyway, this book is about three 20-something sisters, close friends who each fall in love and get married over the course of the novel, and supposedly live happily ever after (yea, right). I personally think these books should be in the fantasy section, but that's just me.

I did take the time to watch a couple of movies with my husband this week. We recently discovered Netflix and the huge catalog of films it contains and we're having fun with it. It's a little embarrassing how few modern movies (last 15 years) we've seen, but on the bright side, it means we have a lot to look forward to.

The first was House of D (2004), a touching movie (translation--a real tear-jerker) about an American living in Paris, who, on his son's thirteenth birthday, decides to tell his wife about his own thirteenth birthday, the fact that he is actually American and not French, and the tragic events that led to his subsequent pretense. It's a story about facing your past and yourself, and I recommend it highly. Robin Williams has a role as a mentally handicapped janitor who was an important part of the hero's childhood past, and as usual, he gives a great performance.

The second movie, Walk the Line (2005), is the story of country singer Johnny Cash's early years as a performer, but more importantly, the childhood experiences that influenced his personality and his decisions for many years. I'm not a big country music fan, I don't own anything by Cash, but I did seem to know all the songs that were performed (and there were a lot of them) and I thought Joaquin Phoenix (Cash) and Reese Witherspoon (June Carter) were great. This movie is as much about relationships as it is about music though, and I also recommend it to all.

stuck in the middle

My book club met tonight and for the second time this year I had not finished the book. We meet monthly, four of us who have stuck together for five or six years, but despite our efforts, rarely have all four of us completed the books we choose. That means the discussions get carried over month to month and sometimes we never get around to them at all. I'd rather it didn't happen that way, but we all have busy lives and we do our best.

My problem this month has been a heavy reading load for school. I am currently in the middle of six books, suffering from an inability to finish things that I don't usually experience. I like to have 2 or sometimes 3 books going, but 6 is too many. These are the books I'm trying to get through:

~The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (page 113 of 401) This is one of the book club picks, as well as an optional read for one of my classes. I think the subject matter might hit a little too close to home and that is bogging me down.
~Angels All Over Town by Luann Rice (page 248 of 309) While romance is probably my least favorite genre, this is the second book club choice and I tried to finish it but ran out of time. I will finish anyway; it's not a bad book. Rice is a good writer, there just isn't much happening in the book to move it along.
~Saving Graces by Elizabeth Edwards (page 107 of 337) Another case of subject matter causing distress that I am not willing to deal with right now.
~Alice Munro's Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories (page 186 of 323) I was required to read 3 short stories from this collection and they were excellent, so I want to finish the book, but don't have the time!
~Laura Lippman's Baltimore Blues (page 31 of 290) I expected to whiz through this highly recommended mystery, but it hasn't pulled me in.
~A Reading Diary by Alberto Manguel (page 116 of 205) I am intentionally reading this book slowly because it is so interesting. In fact, it is my inspiration for this blog. Manguel keeps a diary, almost a commonplace book, as he rereads 12 of his favorite books, recording his feelings and thoughts on the effects of the readings at a different stage of his life. I am thoroughly enjoying this book, and don't want it to end.

On a more positive note, I bought 6 more books tonight for this summer. Is it possible I have a book fetish?

OKeefe 1925 Lake George

just because

april is national poetry month

a poem I feel:

Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World
by Sherman Alexie

The morning air is all awash with angels . . .
- Richard Wilbur

The eyes open to a blue telephone
In the bathroom of this five-star hotel.

I wonder whom I should call? A plumber,
Proctologist, urologist, or priest?

Who is most among us and most deserves
The first call? I choose my father because

He’s astounded by bathroom telephones.
I dial home. My mother answers. "Hey, Ma,

I say, "Can I talk to Poppa?" She gasps,
And then I remember that my father

Has been dead for nearly a year. "Shit, Mom,"
I say. "I forgot he’s dead. I’m sorry—

How did I forget?" "It’s okay," she says.
"I made him a cup of instant coffee

This morning and left it on the table—
Like I have for, what, twenty-seven years—

And I didn’t realize my mistake
Until this afternoon." My mother laughs

At the angels who wait for us to pause
During the most ordinary of days

And sing our praise to forgetfulness
Before they slap our souls with their cold wings.

Those angels burden and unbalance us.
Those fucking angels ride us piggyback.

Those angels, forever falling, snare us
And haul us, prey and praying, into dust.

from Thrash, © 2007 by Sherman Alexie (found at http://www.poets.org/)

web 2.0 (library 2.0 is next)

Kurt Vonnegut 1922-2007

In the early 70's when I was in junior high I discovered Vonnegut and fell in love with his irreverence, his humor, his unique style and his amazing imagination. I read his books, one after the other, never disappointed or bored with his ideas. The book that I reread though, the one that I can't get out of my head is Slaughter-House Five. I will read it once again tonight in his honor. He will be missed. So it goes.

reading diary

No, I’m not Italian. I appropriated “piccoli segreti” from Sophia Loren’s Recipes & Memories. She was referring to the “little secrets” simmering on her stovetop, and the pleasure they bring to others, but I view it as a challenge. I am too private, too safe…that’s right, boring. But maybe her phrase will inspire me to write with an openness I usually avoid, to share a little of myself.

My feelings might change about this, but for now I want to use this space as a reading diary, entering my thoughts and feelings about what I’m reading and sometimes maybe, the movies or the plays I see.

I finished Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto last night and I loved it. She creates characters that one would rarely meet in real life–South American terrorists fresh from the jungle; the world’s most talented soprano; foreign diplomats and business leaders–and shows us their passions, their desires, their dreams, their hearts. It’s a lovely and painful book. I look forward to reading more of this author.

Today I went to Davis and checked out a few books to read this summer. I already have a stack of 67 books (I counted them) I have bought since last summer to read this summer, but I always seem to want more.

Two of the books that I didn’t get but whose titles I came across: Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There and Wherever you Go, There You Are. What great titles! Both of them are on the topic of mindfulness which I am interested in, and I did select a book on the topic, but it’s title isn’t so cool. More about that later.