Perhaps this is a problem which effects only me, but recently I have noticed that my handwriting is, to put it bluntly, almost illegible. I blame this problem on myself, of course, and on my reliance on computers.
A couple of months ago, I vowed to retrieve my pens, buy some paper, and put these writing tools to more frequent use. I have indeed begun to write with a pen more often, only to find that my handwriting has become quite appalling. I am wondering if other people have experienced this problem, or have perhaps given up on writing with pen and paper altogether.
(For those of you who do not know, a pen is a writing implement filled with ink; it was quite the popular writing tool during the last century.)
Berkeley Public Library
Here is a shot of Berkeley Public Library's main branch on Kitteridge Street in Berkeley, California. There is even a small used-book store inside where I was able to buy two books I've been wanting to add to my collection; I snagged these for fifty cents each. Among the books I checked out were two novels by Sharan Newman, a lesser-known but very good mystery writer.The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
I have just read The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan. It is a novel about inner strength, perseverance in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, shame, truth, fear, and new beginnings. It is a beautifully written book.
The return of Scripter...
Hello, I have been busy moving across the country for the past several weeks, and now I am getting back to my writing. I have actually moved to the San Francisco area (the fulfillment of a dream for some time), and have started another blog to chronicle my adventures here. It is called SF Bay Expressions, and contains photos of various things - landscapes, happenings, cultural events, etc. - which I am encountering as I explore the area.
During my journey, I tried not to, but inevitably could not help but ocassionally think of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, as I was moving across the country to California. The last time I read this book, I was in high school, and though that was long ago, there are certain images and notions burned into my brain because of this novel. Throughout my school years, I had to read quite a few of Steinbeck's books. It started with The Red Pony, which I despised because of the misleading title. The next was The Pearl, then Of Mice and Men, and finally The Grapes of Wrath. Whenever my plans go awry, I think of Steinbeck and the bitter twist with which his stories ended.
During my journey, I re-read Marley and Me by John Grogan. This is a very upbeat story. The first time I read it, it really lifted my spirits and put me in a very good mood (not because of the ending of course). If you have ever owned a dog that was less than perfect, you really must read this book. I love Grogan's writing as well; it is so descriptive and engaging.
I have also recently started reading The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan. It is fast becoming my second favorite Tan book, with The Joy Luck Club being my favorite. What have you been reading recently?
During my journey, I tried not to, but inevitably could not help but ocassionally think of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, as I was moving across the country to California. The last time I read this book, I was in high school, and though that was long ago, there are certain images and notions burned into my brain because of this novel. Throughout my school years, I had to read quite a few of Steinbeck's books. It started with The Red Pony, which I despised because of the misleading title. The next was The Pearl, then Of Mice and Men, and finally The Grapes of Wrath. Whenever my plans go awry, I think of Steinbeck and the bitter twist with which his stories ended.
During my journey, I re-read Marley and Me by John Grogan. This is a very upbeat story. The first time I read it, it really lifted my spirits and put me in a very good mood (not because of the ending of course). If you have ever owned a dog that was less than perfect, you really must read this book. I love Grogan's writing as well; it is so descriptive and engaging.
I have also recently started reading The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan. It is fast becoming my second favorite Tan book, with The Joy Luck Club being my favorite. What have you been reading recently?
Yet there are still so many books that I want and need...
When I was packing up all of my belongings, about half of which consist of books, I thought how much easier, less expensive, and lighter my move would have been if I had an e-book device like the Kindle, instead of real books. Instead of several hundred pounds worth of baggage, I would have only one little electronic gadget to take with me. The Kindle has thus gained one advantage point over real books in my mind. (See earlier post for more thorough discussion of e-books verus traditional paper books.)
New Review: Flawless on DVD
Read my review of Magnolia Pictures' Flawless, just released on DVD. Demi Moore is glamorous and crafty when she teams up with Michael Caine to try to outwit the largest diamond conglomerate in London.
Now reading...
I am on the verge of moving across the country and have purchased two books to keep me company on my trip - The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan, and The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho.
I have been wanting to read The Kitchen God's Wife since I finished The Joy Luck Club. I love Amy Tan's writing; I always become very involved in what is going on in her novels, so they are perfect for reading when you need to de-stress and distract yourself from hectic experiences such as relocating.
Paulo Coelho is also one of my favorite authors; I was originally planning to purchase Brida, but instead chose The Pilgrimage, as I thought this might be more appropriate for my journey and embarkment on a new life.
I have been wanting to read The Kitchen God's Wife since I finished The Joy Luck Club. I love Amy Tan's writing; I always become very involved in what is going on in her novels, so they are perfect for reading when you need to de-stress and distract yourself from hectic experiences such as relocating.
Paulo Coelho is also one of my favorite authors; I was originally planning to purchase Brida, but instead chose The Pilgrimage, as I thought this might be more appropriate for my journey and embarkment on a new life.
Movie Reviews
I have just become a writer for The Movie Space! Check out my review of Magnolia Pictures' Ira & Abby, an entertaining romantic comedy starring Jennifer Westfeldt and Chris Messina.
Spotlight on TV: Alice Kramden (The Honeymooners)
Growing up, I had favorite TV shows that I would watch every night. One of those programs was The Honeymooners (in reruns) on WPIX. Though I may not have been conscious of it at the time, I now realize that there was one character on the show who stood out as a positive role model for women of her generation.
The Honeymooners was a situation comedy that aired in the mid 1950's. It revolved around the lives of a New York City bus driver (Ralph Kramden, played by Jackie Gleason) and his wife (Alice Kramden, played by Audrey Meadows). They lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn, and would most often just scrape by financially.
Alice was a strong female character who spoke her mind and challenged her husband, and argued with him about who was "head of the household." At a time when other "TV wives" were drifting around in pearls and staying in their traditional roles as the behind the scenes, have-it-all-together homemaker, Alice represented a more realistic and progressive woman, one who was not content to stay quiet and to do as her husband said without questioning it, and one whose mission in life was not solely to keep the house looking perfect and the husband happy.
Alice spoke her mind with regard to finances and business decisions, and expressed her unhappiness with her abode at times; whenever Ralph had a get-rich-quick idea, Alice was sure to shoot it down with practicality. But also, she was always there in the end to forgive him and help put their lives back in arrears when things did not go as planned. Alice did not need rescuing; in fact, it was often she who came to Ralph's rescue.
Obviously, this show aired before the cultural revolution of the 1960's; for this reason, I think Alice Kramden's character could be seen as something of a brave trend-setter.
What television shows/movies have you seen, or what books have you read, that have featured characters who were ahead of their time, or who acted outside of their traditional societal roles?
The Honeymooners was a situation comedy that aired in the mid 1950's. It revolved around the lives of a New York City bus driver (Ralph Kramden, played by Jackie Gleason) and his wife (Alice Kramden, played by Audrey Meadows). They lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn, and would most often just scrape by financially.
Alice was a strong female character who spoke her mind and challenged her husband, and argued with him about who was "head of the household." At a time when other "TV wives" were drifting around in pearls and staying in their traditional roles as the behind the scenes, have-it-all-together homemaker, Alice represented a more realistic and progressive woman, one who was not content to stay quiet and to do as her husband said without questioning it, and one whose mission in life was not solely to keep the house looking perfect and the husband happy.
Alice spoke her mind with regard to finances and business decisions, and expressed her unhappiness with her abode at times; whenever Ralph had a get-rich-quick idea, Alice was sure to shoot it down with practicality. But also, she was always there in the end to forgive him and help put their lives back in arrears when things did not go as planned. Alice did not need rescuing; in fact, it was often she who came to Ralph's rescue.
Obviously, this show aired before the cultural revolution of the 1960's; for this reason, I think Alice Kramden's character could be seen as something of a brave trend-setter.
What television shows/movies have you seen, or what books have you read, that have featured characters who were ahead of their time, or who acted outside of their traditional societal roles?
Bad Movie Review: Hollywood Homicide kills my evening...
Tonight, I was flipping through the stations on TV, and caught a glimpse of a Harrison Ford movie. I did not know what it was, but since Harrison Ford was starring in it, I thought, well, there is probably some merit to it....
An hour and a half later, I sit on my couch, shocked that Ford would choose to act in such a lame movie, shocked further still, that I have continued to watch it, like the scene of a bad car accident that one cannot turn away from (which is actually in the movie). Here is my interpretation: Ford plays a LAPD cop who moonlights as a real estate agent. Or, rather than moonlighting, he seems to conduct his real estate duties alternately during his police shift. His partner, Josh Hartnett, moonlights as a yoga instructor, but is also an aspiring actor who rehearses his lines while on duty. The dialogue is peppered with lines that I can only guess are supposed to be funny, but are actually trite and unoriginal.
During the "chase scene" which dominates the last thirty minutes or so of the movie, Ford is actually on his cell phone trying to broker a high-end real estate deal between two clients, and continues to take calls while shooting at suspects. After Ford crashes the car during the chase, Hartnett commendeers an SUV with a family still inside of it, and tells the children horror stories as he drives. Later, the chase continues on foot, and Ford ends up in a subway station in pursuit of the criminals. This is odd, because I do not think Los Angeles even has subways?!! In any case, they end up catching the criminals and Ford closes his real estate deal.
The movie wraps up with a scene from a play that Hartnett is starring in (A Streetcar Named Desire). During the play, both Hartnett and Ford (who is attending the play) get calls from the LAPD and off they go.
Have you seen this movie? If so, why did you watch it?;)
Has there been a movie that you have watched simply because it starred an actor you favored, only to leave you feeling disappointed?
An hour and a half later, I sit on my couch, shocked that Ford would choose to act in such a lame movie, shocked further still, that I have continued to watch it, like the scene of a bad car accident that one cannot turn away from (which is actually in the movie). Here is my interpretation: Ford plays a LAPD cop who moonlights as a real estate agent. Or, rather than moonlighting, he seems to conduct his real estate duties alternately during his police shift. His partner, Josh Hartnett, moonlights as a yoga instructor, but is also an aspiring actor who rehearses his lines while on duty. The dialogue is peppered with lines that I can only guess are supposed to be funny, but are actually trite and unoriginal.
During the "chase scene" which dominates the last thirty minutes or so of the movie, Ford is actually on his cell phone trying to broker a high-end real estate deal between two clients, and continues to take calls while shooting at suspects. After Ford crashes the car during the chase, Hartnett commendeers an SUV with a family still inside of it, and tells the children horror stories as he drives. Later, the chase continues on foot, and Ford ends up in a subway station in pursuit of the criminals. This is odd, because I do not think Los Angeles even has subways?!! In any case, they end up catching the criminals and Ford closes his real estate deal.
The movie wraps up with a scene from a play that Hartnett is starring in (A Streetcar Named Desire). During the play, both Hartnett and Ford (who is attending the play) get calls from the LAPD and off they go.
Have you seen this movie? If so, why did you watch it?;)
Has there been a movie that you have watched simply because it starred an actor you favored, only to leave you feeling disappointed?
The unused pen...
I miss writing, and I am not referring to creating stories, articles, or other written works. I mean that I miss writing with a real pen; I miss putting words down on a real piece of paper and seeing what I've written right there in front of me in blue (my preferred choice of ink color). For me, writing with a pen is more natural than typing on a keyboard.
When I was young, I did not even use computers; in the mid-1980's, computers were a luxury that neither my family nor my school owned. Therefore, I would write all of my stories and lists and articles in a looseleaf binder or on a legal pad or in a notebook. My father worked for a printing company and would bring home extra supplies, so paper was never in short order at our house. We had pads of lined and unlined paper, piles of steno books, binders and looseleaf, all kept in a little cabinet in the basement. I can remember the types of paper I used to write my first stories. One story was about a family that found a little dog while en route to Alaska; it was written on fourteen tiny lined pages in a binder that could not have been more than six inches tall.
I kept a typewriter in the basement on a small table; this was where I would transfer my writings into a legible form. When I was nine years old, I started a community newspaper called the New Dorp Action. It was based on the happenings in my neighborhood. It included comics, recipes, contests, and reports of any gossip on my block. I was the managing editor, publisher, and head staff writer. A friend who lived next door was also a staff writer. I think I peaked at nine.
In any case, I've never become a very fast typer. Even through college and into adulthood, I would physically write everything down on paper, and then type it up on the computer. However, in the past couple of years, I've begun to write directly on the computer; it's less time-consuming and it's easier for editing purposes. Also, I don't end up with a heap of hand-written thoughts and stories that I claim I will type up later.
Lately, I've started to miss physically writing on paper. There is something about a pen and paper that, for me, lends itself to better writing. Maybe it is eccentricity. In any case, as of today, I am digging up all of my pens out of desk drawers and bags, and putting them back to work.
When I was young, I did not even use computers; in the mid-1980's, computers were a luxury that neither my family nor my school owned. Therefore, I would write all of my stories and lists and articles in a looseleaf binder or on a legal pad or in a notebook. My father worked for a printing company and would bring home extra supplies, so paper was never in short order at our house. We had pads of lined and unlined paper, piles of steno books, binders and looseleaf, all kept in a little cabinet in the basement. I can remember the types of paper I used to write my first stories. One story was about a family that found a little dog while en route to Alaska; it was written on fourteen tiny lined pages in a binder that could not have been more than six inches tall.
I kept a typewriter in the basement on a small table; this was where I would transfer my writings into a legible form. When I was nine years old, I started a community newspaper called the New Dorp Action. It was based on the happenings in my neighborhood. It included comics, recipes, contests, and reports of any gossip on my block. I was the managing editor, publisher, and head staff writer. A friend who lived next door was also a staff writer. I think I peaked at nine.
In any case, I've never become a very fast typer. Even through college and into adulthood, I would physically write everything down on paper, and then type it up on the computer. However, in the past couple of years, I've begun to write directly on the computer; it's less time-consuming and it's easier for editing purposes. Also, I don't end up with a heap of hand-written thoughts and stories that I claim I will type up later.
Lately, I've started to miss physically writing on paper. There is something about a pen and paper that, for me, lends itself to better writing. Maybe it is eccentricity. In any case, as of today, I am digging up all of my pens out of desk drawers and bags, and putting them back to work.
More about The Martian Chronicles
"When I was a kid my folks took me to visit Mexico City. I'll always remember the way my father acted--loud and big. And my mother didn't like the people because they were dark and didn't wash enough. And my sister wouldn't talk to most of them." ... "Anything that's strange is no good to the average American. If it doesn't have Chicago plumbing, it's nonsense." [spoken by Jeff Spender in a chapter of The Martian Chronicles entitled "June 2001: And the Moon Still Be As Bright"]
Spender portays his family as close-minded, ignorant and ethnocentric. He goes on to insinuate that his family's actions reflect that of an average American. Does this excerpt truly describe a typical American's attitude toward other cultures?
What do you think?
Spender portays his family as close-minded, ignorant and ethnocentric. He goes on to insinuate that his family's actions reflect that of an average American. Does this excerpt truly describe a typical American's attitude toward other cultures?
What do you think?
Ray Bradbury: The Martian Chronicles
"Marriage made people old and familiar, while still young." [Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles]
This is one of the things that I love about Mr. Bradbury's writing - the way he weaves thoughts about everyday human nature into his science fiction stories. Many science fiction novels are not just entertainment, but are commentaries on society, and contain predictions of what the author thinks may ocurr or is already ocurring. Ray Bradbury works his observations of everyday life into his writing as well.
This is one of the things that I love about Mr. Bradbury's writing - the way he weaves thoughts about everyday human nature into his science fiction stories. Many science fiction novels are not just entertainment, but are commentaries on society, and contain predictions of what the author thinks may ocurr or is already ocurring. Ray Bradbury works his observations of everyday life into his writing as well.
Welcome additions?
New words I've learned...
I was engaged in a game of Scrabble the other day when my opponent placed the letters B-I-Z on the board and declared that this is a word. "That's ridiculous!" I shouted, grabbing the dictionary indignantly. "I am challenging your word," I said, confident that this was some sort of unofficial slang word.
I lost my next turn. According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, "biz" is, in fact, a word. There are many unwelcome little words which have popped up in the latest dictionaries lately. Here are a few I've discovered.
gabfest: (n) an informal gathering for general talk.
jag: (v) prick, stab; cut indentations into.
just-folks: (adj) marked by the absence of formality or sophistication.
biz: (n) business.
What do you think of these odd little slang words that have made their way into the dictionary? Are they welcome additions, signs of the evolution of our language, or just unpleasant-sounding slang terms that do not deserve acknowledgment?
I was engaged in a game of Scrabble the other day when my opponent placed the letters B-I-Z on the board and declared that this is a word. "That's ridiculous!" I shouted, grabbing the dictionary indignantly. "I am challenging your word," I said, confident that this was some sort of unofficial slang word.
I lost my next turn. According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, "biz" is, in fact, a word. There are many unwelcome little words which have popped up in the latest dictionaries lately. Here are a few I've discovered.
gabfest: (n) an informal gathering for general talk.
jag: (v) prick, stab; cut indentations into.
just-folks: (adj) marked by the absence of formality or sophistication.
biz: (n) business.
What do you think of these odd little slang words that have made their way into the dictionary? Are they welcome additions, signs of the evolution of our language, or just unpleasant-sounding slang terms that do not deserve acknowledgment?
Electronic versus Traditional (Paper) Books
Is the Amazon Kindle the wave of the future, or just a passing fad?
The Amazon Kindle - a literary revolution; the gadget every book lover has been waiting for...? The Kindle gives you more than one-hundred thousand titles at your fingertips, and the ability to hold an entire bookshelf in the palm of your hand. Is this the beginning of the end for paperbacks and those cherished hardcovers?
Some say that this is a fad that will pass. True book lovers do not necessarily want to read a book from a tiny illuminated screen. You cannot turn the pages of a screen. You cannot display it proudly on your shelf in your living room for guests to admire and friends to borrow. You cannot flip through the pages, gaze at the cover, nor bring it to a book-signing to be autographed.
In addition, the Kindle can hold a little more than 200 titles at a time. My bookshelf, depending on the size, can probably hold more. And if it can't, I can get another shelf. Now I am wondering what happens to the over-flow of titles once you've reached the 200+ limit? Do you have to delete titles you've purchased already? If so, that would seem like a big waste of money.
The Kindle runs on a battery. My book does not; as long as there is some dim light somewhere in the room, I can read it.
Now what about the economics of it? The Kindle itself retails for $399.00. Kindle books range in price; the lowest I found was $6.39, and the highest was $3,120. The latter price was for some type of multi-volume encyclopedic reference, and is not typical of a Kindle book. On average it seems like there is a cost savings in purchasing the Kindle book over a new hardcover book, between about ten and thirty percent. The savings of a Kindle book over an old-fashioned paperback is somewhat lower. And keep in mind, if you are not opposed to buying used books, you can sometimes get quite a bargain; when making my comparison, I was able to find many used books on Amazon that were actually lower in price than the same Kindle e-book.
When I think about it, I would rather put the $399 that I would fork over for the Kindle toward $399 worth of books.
Now consider, if you are the type of person who needs to paw through reference volumes and textbooks, the Kindle may be for you. You can easily search for specific parts in the book, and do not have to lug around heavy volumes. If you are a college student or even a researcher or professor, this type of device may be perfect for you.
If you are mainly a reader of fiction and non-fiction paperbacks like me, you may not see as much value in a device like the Kindle. Plus, I just prefer the familiarity of real paper book.
At least for now, I think I will stick with traditional paper books.
What do you think?
The Amazon Kindle - a literary revolution; the gadget every book lover has been waiting for...? The Kindle gives you more than one-hundred thousand titles at your fingertips, and the ability to hold an entire bookshelf in the palm of your hand. Is this the beginning of the end for paperbacks and those cherished hardcovers?
Some say that this is a fad that will pass. True book lovers do not necessarily want to read a book from a tiny illuminated screen. You cannot turn the pages of a screen. You cannot display it proudly on your shelf in your living room for guests to admire and friends to borrow. You cannot flip through the pages, gaze at the cover, nor bring it to a book-signing to be autographed.
In addition, the Kindle can hold a little more than 200 titles at a time. My bookshelf, depending on the size, can probably hold more. And if it can't, I can get another shelf. Now I am wondering what happens to the over-flow of titles once you've reached the 200+ limit? Do you have to delete titles you've purchased already? If so, that would seem like a big waste of money.
The Kindle runs on a battery. My book does not; as long as there is some dim light somewhere in the room, I can read it.
Now what about the economics of it? The Kindle itself retails for $399.00. Kindle books range in price; the lowest I found was $6.39, and the highest was $3,120. The latter price was for some type of multi-volume encyclopedic reference, and is not typical of a Kindle book. On average it seems like there is a cost savings in purchasing the Kindle book over a new hardcover book, between about ten and thirty percent. The savings of a Kindle book over an old-fashioned paperback is somewhat lower. And keep in mind, if you are not opposed to buying used books, you can sometimes get quite a bargain; when making my comparison, I was able to find many used books on Amazon that were actually lower in price than the same Kindle e-book.
When I think about it, I would rather put the $399 that I would fork over for the Kindle toward $399 worth of books.
Now consider, if you are the type of person who needs to paw through reference volumes and textbooks, the Kindle may be for you. You can easily search for specific parts in the book, and do not have to lug around heavy volumes. If you are a college student or even a researcher or professor, this type of device may be perfect for you.
If you are mainly a reader of fiction and non-fiction paperbacks like me, you may not see as much value in a device like the Kindle. Plus, I just prefer the familiarity of real paper book.
At least for now, I think I will stick with traditional paper books.
What do you think?
Spotlight Author: Jewel
I have liked Jewel's music for a long time, but it was only in the past year that I began to appreciate her as an author as well. A Night Without Armor is a book of poetry. Chasing Down the Dawn is a sort of memoir / autobiography in prose; it is an exquisite and touching piece of work. In it, she talks about her childhood and details her struggles, giving the reader a glimpse into the days before she became popular, and also discusses the first years of fame and how she adjusted to this new way of life.
Books on the agenda for this week...
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
I cannot say enough about Mr. Bradbury's writing. His books are so captivating that once I begin reading one, I tune out the rest of the world; walls could fall down around me and I would find it difficult to glance up from my page. I have been wanting to read The Martian Chronicles for some time, but something always seems to get in the way. I bought it several months ago and it has been sitting on my bookshelf ever since. This weekend, I resolved to begin reading it.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Even though I am quite a fan of Ms. Tan's writing, I have never read this book nor seen the movie. I plan to begin reading it as well this week.
Choose Your Own Adventure!
As a kid, these were some of my favorite books! I can remember reading them in the library in my grade school (by myself of course, as I was a nerd and was ostracized by the rest of the children). It was fun to get lost in the story, and unlike real life, when you choose an adventure and end up not liking the ending, you can just go back and choose a different one!
Choose Your Own Adventure Books now have a website where you can check out all of their new releases and purchase books. I haven't read one of these since I was about nine or ten years old, but I may buy one now; I wonder if I will enjoy these books as an adult as much as I did as a child? If not, it will be nice to have one on the shelf for the sake of nostalgia. The author, R.A. Montgomery, even has his own blog in which he documents his real adventures.
If you have kids or even are a bit of a kid yourself, check out these books. If you do not want to buy them, check your local library; Choose Your Own Adventure Books have been around since the late 1970's, so I'm sure you'll be able to find some.
Choose Your Own Adventure Books now have a website where you can check out all of their new releases and purchase books. I haven't read one of these since I was about nine or ten years old, but I may buy one now; I wonder if I will enjoy these books as an adult as much as I did as a child? If not, it will be nice to have one on the shelf for the sake of nostalgia. The author, R.A. Montgomery, even has his own blog in which he documents his real adventures.
If you have kids or even are a bit of a kid yourself, check out these books. If you do not want to buy them, check your local library; Choose Your Own Adventure Books have been around since the late 1970's, so I'm sure you'll be able to find some.
Content versus Style
For me, no matter how captivating the plot of a book is, if it is not well-written, I really cannot enjoy it. It will therefore not make a good impression on me; I will read it solely to find out what happens in the story. If I am able to get through the entire book, I will most likely toss it aside and never read it again (or sell it on Amazon:).
The best book, of course, and the best kind of writer, is one who combines exquisite writing with intriguing and unique content. At times, such writers are able to capture a human emotion or thought so subtle, that they bring to light ideas which may be buried deep in our subconscious, or things we have felt in our lives and have never been able to put into words. They inspire us. These are the types of authors that I most admire. For this reason, Ray Bradbury, Paulo Coelho and Joanne Harris are among my favorites. These authors weave their vocabulary so incredibly that the sentence itself becomes a work of art. Here are some examples from two of my favorite novels.
"But still, we raced faster as the years wore on, staying a month, two at the most, then moving on like fugitives facing the sunset. It took me some years to understand that it was death we fled." [Chocolat by Joanne Harris, Penguin Putnam Inc., 1999]
"Somewhere in him, a shadow turned mournfully over. You had to run with a night like this, so the sadness could not hurt." [Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, Harper Collins, 1999]
Which is more important to you when reading and rating a book: content or style? What authors do you feel excel in both aspects?
The best book, of course, and the best kind of writer, is one who combines exquisite writing with intriguing and unique content. At times, such writers are able to capture a human emotion or thought so subtle, that they bring to light ideas which may be buried deep in our subconscious, or things we have felt in our lives and have never been able to put into words. They inspire us. These are the types of authors that I most admire. For this reason, Ray Bradbury, Paulo Coelho and Joanne Harris are among my favorites. These authors weave their vocabulary so incredibly that the sentence itself becomes a work of art. Here are some examples from two of my favorite novels.
"But still, we raced faster as the years wore on, staying a month, two at the most, then moving on like fugitives facing the sunset. It took me some years to understand that it was death we fled." [Chocolat by Joanne Harris, Penguin Putnam Inc., 1999]
"Somewhere in him, a shadow turned mournfully over. You had to run with a night like this, so the sadness could not hurt." [Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, Harper Collins, 1999]
Which is more important to you when reading and rating a book: content or style? What authors do you feel excel in both aspects?
The Fictional Hero
I think the reason we love the heroes in books and movies so much is simply this - most of us are cowards; that is, there are things we want to say in our lives that we sometimes hold back because of our inhibitions, or because of the potential consequences. For example, I might refrain from mouthing off to my boss about something because I fear the consequence, i.e. getting fired! The heroes in books and movies do what we have not the courage to do, and say what we have not the strength to say. We worship these characters for acting in situations the way we wish we could act, were there not consequences. We all love the down-trodden employee who finally stands up to his boss at the end of a movie, because most of us have to answer to managers and supervisors that do not treat us exactly how we want to be treated, and tell us to do things that we do not agree with. We love the character who has the courage to step off the "beaten path," and live out her life the way she wants to, even though it means taking a big risk, much like the hero in the movie Jerry MacGuire. This is the reason why I love Fight Club so much; for aren't many of us (in some ways) like Edward Norton's character? We imagine ourselves doing the things which we know are brave and/or crazy; we want to be Tyler Durden, but are too afraid. Who is your favorite fictional hero? Why and how do you relate to him or her?
Introduction
My intention is to review new books and films, as well as to take a fresh look at older works and share my appreciation for them. Books are precious; they contain new ideas, convey information, enable one to see things from a different perspective (if one reads them with an open mind). To be honest, I sometimes worry that people do not read anymore. Sure, the New York Times Bestseller List surely proves my concern is irrelevant. However, do all the people who buy those books and make the number of copies sold rise, actually read the books, I wonder. I consider myself a fairly enthusiastic reader, and I admit that I buy books with the intention of reading them, and sometimes do not open them for many days, weeks, months. Or, in some cases, the book simply does not hold my interest, so I certainly cannot claim to have read it. And what is to become of the classics, or even some older books which may not be considered classics, but which may be quite good and interesting anyway? Do we pay attention to these books? I am wondering how many of you consider yourselves avid readers, moderate readers, or non-readers. Do you purchase new books and never get through them? Do you read the classics or older books? Leave behind a comment, if you do not mind.
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