Book Review vs. Review of Books

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As I sit here, sipping my Earl Grey and contemplating things to blog about, I'm reminded of a recent task that I placed on the To Do list in my head. I'll have to give a bit of back story on this one; I'll try not to drone on too long.

I've sporadically read the New York Times book review on and off since Josh and I lived in Philadelphia. I love it. It always includes lists of the latest fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, etc. that you'll see in any Barnes and Noble display. However, the books they actually review, at least from my experience, are not so readily recognizable as your Cornwell's, Patterson's, Meyer's, Robert's, etc. I mark the ones that tickle my fancy and move on to the next, feeling somewhat intellectually fulfilled and empowered, until...

My husband and I were watching a new show on television called "Castle", you know, about the James Patterson-esque writer, albeit much younger, that accompanies an attractive gumshoe muse throughout varying over the top investigations so as to collect more writing material. Last week, Castle, the writer claims to have had one of his books appear in the New York Review of books, NOT the New York Times book review. I turned to my husband and asked, how've I never heard of this? I looked it up. Yep, it's the uber-intellectual book review. On the subscription page, it doesn't address teachers, but professors, to order for their classes.

I didn't recognize any of the latest released books, although I recognized some in their archives. But I feel a little less fulfilled and empowered now. I want to know so much, but there's so much to know.

Peaceful, Easy Feeling

Allow me to steal a snippet of phrase from The Eagles as I describe my current state. I'm tired as all get out, but I'm happy knowing my family is sleeping safe and snug right now. I'm happy after having spent a day with the girls planting flowers and making the world, at least our corner of it anyway, a little brighter:) Economy-Schmonomy.

Cheerful Conversation

As I climbed into bed tonight, instead of a kiss or an "I Love You", my husband begins to tell me that Mexico is suffering from a pandemic in the form of a flu and that it's killing people our age. He then mentions past pandemics that killed more people than were lost in World War I or the Bubonic Plague. And now I'm supposed to go to sleep? Of course not. I'm heading to the place where I go for answers to all questions...the Google.

Here's what I found from the AP As I was reading through the article, a few sentences caught my eye: Authorities urged people to stay home if they feel sick and to avoid shaking hands or kissing people on the cheeks.; not a problem. I'm not about the kissing on the cheeks. Next:The local Roman Catholic Church recommended that priests shorten Mass; place communion wafers in worshippers' hands, instead of their mouths; and ask parishioners to avoid kissing or shaking hands during the rite of peace. The Archdiocese also said Catholics could fulfill their Mass obligation by radio. That's it, I'm staying home and watching the God channel tomorrow.

Kid Lit

Driving around with my "bonus" daughter is always so enlightening. Taylor is 9 years old, and she's a talker, more so in the car than anywhere else on Earth. It's funny, but, what else is there to do in the car, right?? This evening she was telling us about the book she's been reading, Twitches. We've watched the movie several times, and she began to inform me of the differences between the two, quite intuitive she is. She continued to talk about her literary loves and mentioned The Boxcar Children. I hadn't thought of that series in years, and I'm going to have to check it out again to prepare Ella's library:)

Thinking of the Boxcar books lead me to think of other books I loved growing up. Some of my absolute favorites and those I intend to rediscover via my children are: Number the Stars, the Ramona books, Amelia Bedelia books, The Indian in the Cupboard (thank you Ms. Dickinson for reading that to us), Anne of Avonlea and Green Gables, Janette Oake books, American Girl books, especially those introducing Samantha and Felicity, and, of course, The Babysitter's Club. Ahhhh, I'll have to take Tay and Ella to the library in the morning!!

AI

The AI I refer to has nothing to do with robots, unless you call young, talented super-star hopefuls dancing and lip syncing to the "She's A Maniac" song artificial and robotic, which, yeah, I tend to do. On "disco week" they had three "used to be great but are now old and not so great" performers "singing", and one of them was the KC from KC and the Sunshine Band...whaaat? What are the demographics of their voting audience? Who the heck cares about disco or "KC"? Seeeriously.

My money's on Adam to win, but I find myself fast-forwarding through the results shows and even some of the judges' comments. Four is too many. Disco is dead. Ryan Seacrest is beginning to truly annoy me, but other than that...

Happy Birthday William!!

Shakespeare is thought to have been born on April 23, 1564 and he died on April 23, 1616...a true circle of life. Here's to the famous, infamous, celebrated, debated bard for supplying the world with so much to talk about!

Twilight Re-Illuminated

I blogged a while back about watching the movie, Twilight, and I believe I unfairly judged its characters based on their cinematic representation. I only read 8 or so of the 24 chapters before I cheated and viewed the film. I know better, as I am thoroughly convinced that one's own imagination and connection with characters can never be lived up to or satisfactorily portrayed on the big screen, and therefore "cheating" taints some of the personal treasures gained when reading; those connections, parallels, and yes, even relationships that we form, unform, and reform with characters. And thank God we all have the ability to imagine differently.

As I'm getting further into the book I am reminded of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. The family feud between the Montagues and Capulet's mirrors that of the Cold Ones and Quileutes, with Jacob being somewhat like Bella's sweeter Tybalt and Edward's siblings acting as his collective Mercutio. Meyer alludes to classic literature often, as Bella tends to be an academic, reading Shakespeare and Austen on the weekends. I look forward to piecing together the puzzle; who says teen lit can't be academic?