I love the TV series Sex and the City (I also loved the movie and am looking forward to its sequel). I was never an obessed SaTC fan, I didn't even get really into it until the movie version came out prompting me to borrow a friend's DVD sets. I've also never read the book.
Candace Bushnell, the author and creator of the Sex and the City world, is the author of my sixth finished novel in 2010 -- Lipstick Jungle.
I really liked this book.
The story is of three best friends in New York City, who are all powerful ladies in their respective fields, and who are all in their early 40s. They are each dealing with career and personal life problems, which are the thrust of the story. It's a fun, girly read and I liked the characters. It was a short-lived TV series, starring Brooke Shields, Lindsay Price, and Kim Raver as the title characters. I've downloaded it to give it a try, having liked the book, so I'll see how it compares (although I guess it isn't nearly as good as SaTC was, since it was cancelled after only so many episodes).
I definitely recommend this book if you're into SaTC type of stories, and I know I'll be giving Candace Bushnell's other books a try too.
6 down, 94 to go. I'm so far off of achieving 100 if I'm going statistical on it, but whatever, the challenge is on -- who knows what Reading Miracle I can pull off before the clock strikes 12 on December 31st!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
5) Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
My reading progress has been very, very slow. I think it'll start to pick up again though, I have faith, dear Blog readers.
My most recent read was Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I bought this book (or rather, Martin bought it for me) when I went to Martin's house for the weekend and realized I forgot to bring a novel with me (stooopid me!). I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Wicked the Musical" to Toronto -- it comes in June of this year -- so I thought I'd give the book it's based off of a try.
The story is of Elphaba, who later becomes our Wicked Witch of the West. It begins with her birth, then weaves through defining moments in her life that led to her eventual watery demise courtesy of that strange girl from Kansas and her "annoying little dog". It paints an interesting picture with a fresh perspective on the original story.
This book was good, it really was. I love "The Wizard of Oz" (the film, I've never actually read the book), and I love this perspective of that world. My only complaint, though, was how WORDY this book was. It took me so long to read it because it was full of character-after-character, description-after-description, location-after-location -- all with unique names and words to describe it. You were really pushed into the land of Oz as a reader of this story, but I found myself disconnected at times while I sorted through all the WORDS.
I clearly like my novels to be way less "literary masterpiece-ish", so I can read them fast enough to get to 100 in a year, haha. BRING ON TWILIGHT.
So, if you're interested in this world of Oz at all -- or if you're thinking of seeing the musical Wicked live on stage -- I do recommend this story. Just be prepared, it isn't exactly a light read and it may take you awhile to get through it. I did like it a lot though.
95 more... HA. HA. HA.
My most recent read was Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I bought this book (or rather, Martin bought it for me) when I went to Martin's house for the weekend and realized I forgot to bring a novel with me (stooopid me!). I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Wicked the Musical" to Toronto -- it comes in June of this year -- so I thought I'd give the book it's based off of a try.
The story is of Elphaba, who later becomes our Wicked Witch of the West. It begins with her birth, then weaves through defining moments in her life that led to her eventual watery demise courtesy of that strange girl from Kansas and her "annoying little dog". It paints an interesting picture with a fresh perspective on the original story.
This book was good, it really was. I love "The Wizard of Oz" (the film, I've never actually read the book), and I love this perspective of that world. My only complaint, though, was how WORDY this book was. It took me so long to read it because it was full of character-after-character, description-after-description, location-after-location -- all with unique names and words to describe it. You were really pushed into the land of Oz as a reader of this story, but I found myself disconnected at times while I sorted through all the WORDS.
I clearly like my novels to be way less "literary masterpiece-ish", so I can read them fast enough to get to 100 in a year, haha. BRING ON TWILIGHT.
So, if you're interested in this world of Oz at all -- or if you're thinking of seeing the musical Wicked live on stage -- I do recommend this story. Just be prepared, it isn't exactly a light read and it may take you awhile to get through it. I did like it a lot though.
95 more... HA. HA. HA.
Monday, February 1, 2010
4) Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I finished this last week but didn't have the opportunity to post before today.
BOOK FOUR! FOUR! I read FOUR in January! That's about... half of what I need to read each month, so I will need to play catch up later on. Instead of worrying about that though, let me tell you about this really awesome book.
So, I read Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: The Lightning Thief which is by Rick Riordan. I bought this book for my 11-year-old brother for Christmas, knowing that he likes the Harry Potter series (which we've been reading together over the past few years -- yes, years, our schedules don't always line up for reading together, haha) and other adventure stories too. I also knew that a film version was coming out soon, so I figured we could see the movie together if he liked the book.
Needless to say, he LOVED the book. So much so that he read it in a week's time at school (that's pretty fast for him), and he asked me to take him to Chapters to buy Book 2 in the series (with his own money, he's growing up so fast!). This is a kid who likes reading but isn't necessarily the type to ask to go to the book store, so the book definitely left a great impression on him.
He made sure to pass the book to me next, and I also really enjoyed it. I've always liked Greek Mythology, so the subject matter appealed to me from the outset, and it was a good little adventure. The characters are likeable, and I also look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This is a Young Adult series, probably meant for 8-12 year-olds, but like Harry Potter or the Twilight series, it is definitely fun for adults too. I think both young boys and girls will enjoy this book, but especially if you have a son and you're looking for a new series for him to enjoy, I recommend this one. I'm looking forward to taking Scooter to the theatre for the film adaptation, and will review the movie too once I see it.
The Lightning Thief is available online on Amazon.ca.
4 down, 96 to go!
BOOK FOUR! FOUR! I read FOUR in January! That's about... half of what I need to read each month, so I will need to play catch up later on. Instead of worrying about that though, let me tell you about this really awesome book.
So, I read Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: The Lightning Thief which is by Rick Riordan. I bought this book for my 11-year-old brother for Christmas, knowing that he likes the Harry Potter series (which we've been reading together over the past few years -- yes, years, our schedules don't always line up for reading together, haha) and other adventure stories too. I also knew that a film version was coming out soon, so I figured we could see the movie together if he liked the book.
Needless to say, he LOVED the book. So much so that he read it in a week's time at school (that's pretty fast for him), and he asked me to take him to Chapters to buy Book 2 in the series (with his own money, he's growing up so fast!). This is a kid who likes reading but isn't necessarily the type to ask to go to the book store, so the book definitely left a great impression on him.
He made sure to pass the book to me next, and I also really enjoyed it. I've always liked Greek Mythology, so the subject matter appealed to me from the outset, and it was a good little adventure. The characters are likeable, and I also look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This is a Young Adult series, probably meant for 8-12 year-olds, but like Harry Potter or the Twilight series, it is definitely fun for adults too. I think both young boys and girls will enjoy this book, but especially if you have a son and you're looking for a new series for him to enjoy, I recommend this one. I'm looking forward to taking Scooter to the theatre for the film adaptation, and will review the movie too once I see it.
The Lightning Thief is available online on Amazon.ca.
4 down, 96 to go!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
3) Three Bedrooms, One Corpse by Charlaine Harris
I know exactly what you're thinking -- BOOK THREE! ALREADY?! SHE'S AMAZING!
You'd be right. I am amazing. In so very many ways.
However, I did not quickly whip through an entire book in one night (not that I've never done that before, because I HAVE)(See above -- I can be amazing). In truth, I was already reading this book on the side when I was reading The Lost Symbol and Swapping Lives. Also, it's a small novel.
Book three of my "100 Books in 2010" Challenge is Charlaine Harris' Three Bedrooms, One Corpse. This is the third book in her Aurora Teagarden Mystery series. I've read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books (save for book 9, the newest one, as I'm waiting for it to be in paperback), so I thought I'd give some of Charlaine's other books a go. The first Aurora Teagarden book (Real Murders) was at my local bookstore, so I bought it. Quite liked it, so I moved on to book two (A Bone to Pick). Liked that as well, so I decided to continue with the series.
I have to say though, this particular book was more dull than the first two. The mystery was a good one, yet the middle section of the book dragged on without the mystery really being too prominent. A few more twists and turns would have improved the storyline. I do like the main character, however, and am starting to get into this world, so I am definitely going to continue with the series. I'm just not in that much of a hurry with it, and probably won't read book four for a little while.
If you're looking for light reads with a touch of mystery and murder, I do recommend the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris -- although personally I like the Sookie Stackhouse series better (I'm a vampire fiction fan, and I like the TV series "True Blood" which is based off of the Sookie series).
3 down, 97 to go!
What I'm Reading Next (Yes, Two at a Time Again):
Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell -- another book borrowed from Melanie; I've never read any Candace Bushnell books before, but was a fan of the Sex and the City TV series of course.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan -- I gave this to my 11-year-old brother for Christmas, he LOVED IT, so now I'm reading it so that I can take him to the movie when it comes out in February (he said, "Estie!" that's what he's called me from when he was a baby, lol "Estie! Read this book, you'll really like it!", so I'm reading it!)
You'd be right. I am amazing. In so very many ways.
However, I did not quickly whip through an entire book in one night (not that I've never done that before, because I HAVE)(See above -- I can be amazing). In truth, I was already reading this book on the side when I was reading The Lost Symbol and Swapping Lives. Also, it's a small novel.
Book three of my "100 Books in 2010" Challenge is Charlaine Harris' Three Bedrooms, One Corpse. This is the third book in her Aurora Teagarden Mystery series. I've read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books (save for book 9, the newest one, as I'm waiting for it to be in paperback), so I thought I'd give some of Charlaine's other books a go. The first Aurora Teagarden book (Real Murders) was at my local bookstore, so I bought it. Quite liked it, so I moved on to book two (A Bone to Pick). Liked that as well, so I decided to continue with the series.
I have to say though, this particular book was more dull than the first two. The mystery was a good one, yet the middle section of the book dragged on without the mystery really being too prominent. A few more twists and turns would have improved the storyline. I do like the main character, however, and am starting to get into this world, so I am definitely going to continue with the series. I'm just not in that much of a hurry with it, and probably won't read book four for a little while.
If you're looking for light reads with a touch of mystery and murder, I do recommend the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris -- although personally I like the Sookie Stackhouse series better (I'm a vampire fiction fan, and I like the TV series "True Blood" which is based off of the Sookie series).
3 down, 97 to go!
What I'm Reading Next (Yes, Two at a Time Again):
Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell -- another book borrowed from Melanie; I've never read any Candace Bushnell books before, but was a fan of the Sex and the City TV series of course.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan -- I gave this to my 11-year-old brother for Christmas, he LOVED IT, so now I'm reading it so that I can take him to the movie when it comes out in February (he said, "Estie!" that's what he's called me from when he was a baby, lol "Estie! Read this book, you'll really like it!", so I'm reading it!)
Monday, January 25, 2010
2) Swapping Lives by Jane Green
Swapping Lives is the first Jane Green novel I've ever read, and I do think I'd read more of her books (if anyone recommends any particular titles, let me know!). I borrowed this book from my friend Mel. It's a chick-lit, which is what I enjoy (I like the escape they provide). It wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, but if you take it for what it is, it's a fine enough read.
The premise is of a single girl in London named Vicky who works for Poise! magazine swapping lives with a married American woman named Amber -- to see what it's like to be married with children, and to provide a married woman a chance to relive single life. For the title being "Swapping Lives", it wasn't until quite late into the novel that the characters actually swapped; and even then, it didn't go on for too much of the story. Instead, the story focuses more on the situations that lead the girls to swap; and then wraps up with the lessons they learned about appreciating what they had.
The book wasn't thrilling, but it was a nice enough story. In my copy I did find a couple of errors -- a few times where it said "Vicky" but it was clearly "Amber" speaking, so that was a bit distracting (for whatever reason, finding errors in novels happens to me a lot). This is definitely a good one to borrow from a friend or take out from your local library.
2 down, 98 to go! *facepalm*
The premise is of a single girl in London named Vicky who works for Poise! magazine swapping lives with a married American woman named Amber -- to see what it's like to be married with children, and to provide a married woman a chance to relive single life. For the title being "Swapping Lives", it wasn't until quite late into the novel that the characters actually swapped; and even then, it didn't go on for too much of the story. Instead, the story focuses more on the situations that lead the girls to swap; and then wraps up with the lessons they learned about appreciating what they had.
The book wasn't thrilling, but it was a nice enough story. In my copy I did find a couple of errors -- a few times where it said "Vicky" but it was clearly "Amber" speaking, so that was a bit distracting (for whatever reason, finding errors in novels happens to me a lot). This is definitely a good one to borrow from a friend or take out from your local library.
2 down, 98 to go! *facepalm*
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Movie Review: The Lovely Bones
I have been waiting for the screen version of The Lovely Bones for YEARS. I read the book about three years ago, I think, and the film had already been announced and I think most of the cast members had been chosen. The original release date for it was a year ago, I believe -- then they kept pushing it back. Finally, finally it came out in theatres en masse as of January 15th. Friday night I was able to convince (didn't take much) Steph2 to accompany me to finally see it myself.
Sometimes when I see a film adaptation of a favourite book, I'm disappointed. Sometimes greatly disappointed, to the point of needing to offer suggetions to filmmakers. With The Lovely Bones, I'm so happy to report, this was not the case for me.
Were there changes from the plot? Yes. There were. Some things happened out-of-order, some things were left out completely. A few main characters became minor, a few characters were non-existent. However, I don't think it detracted from the story. I think the story was told on screen in a way that did still stay true to the story in the book.
***Minor Spoiler Warning: Plot Spoilers Follow***
The main thrust of The Lovely Bones is of Susie's family coping with their loss of Susie, especially her father and sister, Lindsey. It is also mostly about Susie in the 'in-between' as she tries to stay connected to her family back on Earth and help her killer be caught. This is what the movie held true to; Susie and the 'in-between', Susie's father's struggle.
The special effects in the 'in-between' were stunning. I don't think they were too much -- it was supposed to be a fantastical place, Susie's own perfect world -- and at 14, her idea of perfect might be over-the-top. The acting was also great -- I think they cast each character very well, especially Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon. Some of the best moments were when Susie is speaking lines directly from Alice Sebold's novel; it was exactly as I imagined Susie speaking it when reading the pages myself. Also, some of the 'missing moments' from the book (especially more about Lindsey as a character, for example) are filled in via Mr. Harvey looking at news clippings.
What I found most pleased me was the overall feeling I got as I watched the film. Sometimes when I was a film adaptation of a novel I've enjoyed, I have a sort of "empty" feeling inside -- I can really feel those missing parts, and I don't connect to the characters/story as well as I think I should. With this film, I didn't have that feeling. I was engaged throughout the entire movie, and felt it told its story in a very full way, even if slightly differently from the original story (it's really not that different, as per usual some of the details are left out, but not enough to ruin it as a film).
I've read that some people were not fans of this film, but I found it to be an excellent adaptation, and no less than I would have expected from Peter Jackson -- the man certainly knows how to adapt books into movies; and I'm not even much of a Lord of the Rings fan.
So I recommend The Lovely Bones, but with a word of caution: although I did enjoy it a lot, I have heard from others who did not like it. I think it is a film you should judge for yourself. I definitely recommend this novel to those who have not read it (although it is deeply sad at times, and I think parents would definitely find it a hard read -- it is beautifully written nontheless).
Sometimes when I see a film adaptation of a favourite book, I'm disappointed. Sometimes greatly disappointed, to the point of needing to offer suggetions to filmmakers. With The Lovely Bones, I'm so happy to report, this was not the case for me.
Were there changes from the plot? Yes. There were. Some things happened out-of-order, some things were left out completely. A few main characters became minor, a few characters were non-existent. However, I don't think it detracted from the story. I think the story was told on screen in a way that did still stay true to the story in the book.
***Minor Spoiler Warning: Plot Spoilers Follow***
The main thrust of The Lovely Bones is of Susie's family coping with their loss of Susie, especially her father and sister, Lindsey. It is also mostly about Susie in the 'in-between' as she tries to stay connected to her family back on Earth and help her killer be caught. This is what the movie held true to; Susie and the 'in-between', Susie's father's struggle.
The special effects in the 'in-between' were stunning. I don't think they were too much -- it was supposed to be a fantastical place, Susie's own perfect world -- and at 14, her idea of perfect might be over-the-top. The acting was also great -- I think they cast each character very well, especially Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon. Some of the best moments were when Susie is speaking lines directly from Alice Sebold's novel; it was exactly as I imagined Susie speaking it when reading the pages myself. Also, some of the 'missing moments' from the book (especially more about Lindsey as a character, for example) are filled in via Mr. Harvey looking at news clippings.
What I found most pleased me was the overall feeling I got as I watched the film. Sometimes when I was a film adaptation of a novel I've enjoyed, I have a sort of "empty" feeling inside -- I can really feel those missing parts, and I don't connect to the characters/story as well as I think I should. With this film, I didn't have that feeling. I was engaged throughout the entire movie, and felt it told its story in a very full way, even if slightly differently from the original story (it's really not that different, as per usual some of the details are left out, but not enough to ruin it as a film).
I've read that some people were not fans of this film, but I found it to be an excellent adaptation, and no less than I would have expected from Peter Jackson -- the man certainly knows how to adapt books into movies; and I'm not even much of a Lord of the Rings fan.
So I recommend The Lovely Bones, but with a word of caution: although I did enjoy it a lot, I have heard from others who did not like it. I think it is a film you should judge for yourself. I definitely recommend this novel to those who have not read it (although it is deeply sad at times, and I think parents would definitely find it a hard read -- it is beautifully written nontheless).
Friday, January 15, 2010
1) The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
I did it! I've finished ONE BOOK in 2010! Onward to the next 99! (OY VEY).
Funny/cute story -- Martin's adorable Polish 'Babcia' (grandmother) constantly said, "Oy yay! Oy yay!" in like, a really sad sort of tone when she was waxing poetic about the great sadnesses and such (all in Polish, Martin had to translate and sometimes he just looked at me and shrugged). Anyway! So now Martin and I are always like, "Oy yay, oy yay" when we're feeling 'great sadness' OR when we're reminiscing about visiting Babcia.
100 books in a year! OY YAY!, OY YAY!
The first book I read was The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I'm a Dan Brown fan, I am. However, my favourite books of his are his more stand-alone novels - Digital Fortress and Deception Point. Angels & Demons is still my favourite Robert Langdon story. With The Lost Symbol, I found myself feeling how I did when I was reading The Da Vinci Code. It took me a long time to get into it, some of the way-too-many-details-about-this-and-that-and-this-person distracted me too much from feeling any suspense, and I just didn't get so into it (his other books I'd gobble up in a couple days, flat, however and felt much more captivated and shocked by the twists and turns).
Was it a good book? Yes. He's a great writer, there's no doubt. However, even with a fairly alright twist near the end, it still doesn't rank as my favourite of his stories. Also, it's very religion-based as most of his Robert Langdon books are, and I just wasn't feeling it. The big ending was very anti-climactic in my, very humble, opinion.
It wasn't horrible, so if you've previously liked Dan Brown's novels, then definitely give it a read and see for yourself how you feel. I'm filing this one under "Library It", because that's sort of my middle-of-the-road option (otherwise I just 'recommend' a book or say 'avoid'). I just wasn't personally gripped by this one. I'd love some more stand-alone thrillers like Digital Fortress or Deception Point from Dan Brown in the future.
One down, ninety-nine to go!
Funny/cute story -- Martin's adorable Polish 'Babcia' (grandmother) constantly said, "Oy yay! Oy yay!" in like, a really sad sort of tone when she was waxing poetic about the great sadnesses and such (all in Polish, Martin had to translate and sometimes he just looked at me and shrugged). Anyway! So now Martin and I are always like, "Oy yay, oy yay" when we're feeling 'great sadness' OR when we're reminiscing about visiting Babcia.
100 books in a year! OY YAY!, OY YAY!
The first book I read was The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I'm a Dan Brown fan, I am. However, my favourite books of his are his more stand-alone novels - Digital Fortress and Deception Point. Angels & Demons is still my favourite Robert Langdon story. With The Lost Symbol, I found myself feeling how I did when I was reading The Da Vinci Code. It took me a long time to get into it, some of the way-too-many-details-about-this-and-that-and-this-person distracted me too much from feeling any suspense, and I just didn't get so into it (his other books I'd gobble up in a couple days, flat, however and felt much more captivated and shocked by the twists and turns).
Was it a good book? Yes. He's a great writer, there's no doubt. However, even with a fairly alright twist near the end, it still doesn't rank as my favourite of his stories. Also, it's very religion-based as most of his Robert Langdon books are, and I just wasn't feeling it. The big ending was very anti-climactic in my, very humble, opinion.
It wasn't horrible, so if you've previously liked Dan Brown's novels, then definitely give it a read and see for yourself how you feel. I'm filing this one under "Library It", because that's sort of my middle-of-the-road option (otherwise I just 'recommend' a book or say 'avoid'). I just wasn't personally gripped by this one. I'd love some more stand-alone thrillers like Digital Fortress or Deception Point from Dan Brown in the future.
One down, ninety-nine to go!
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