I've spent large chunks of time the last few days trying to figure out all the "high-tech" aspects of blogging. You'll now see that I've figured out how to post a picture in the profile section, and also have new links on the side of the page for book reviews and babies. Both are sparse right now, but will hopefully grow with time. I want to thank all of you readers who responded to the new book review section--I have a nice, growing list of books to read, and a few ideas for future columns. I think the first is going to be a top ten list, and then I'll tackle thematic lists. Please keep the recommendations coming--I've figured out the reservation system at the Berkeley library, and promise to try get to everything you're interested in.
I think it's been awhile since my last "pro-Oakland" rant. I went into the city this afternoon to water my aunt's plants, and got stuck in traffic for two hours trying to get home (a big rig full of beer lit on fire--it looked like parts of it actually imploded--and they shut the entire lower deck of the Bay Bridge down. The driver and his dog made it out safe.). I'm really happy to be back on the traffic-free side of the Bay. I think I'm going to stick to Bart from now on. [As an aside, as I drove past the wreck, pondering whether or not to listen to Bush's speech tonight--I've decided not to; I've already been frustrated enough for one day--I noticed several news vans recording the action. One of the reporters had set up a lawn chair and was catching some sun. For some reason, this made me really happy. I'm glad that see that people have the ability to keep everything in perspective.]
In other news, as of yesterday I'm one year closer to 30. I'm pleased to report that I didn't feel noticeably older this morning.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
August Book Reviews
I've decided that the best way to do book reviews is on a monthly basis--I just can't see myself motivating to write after finishing each one. I'm also not sure that I'm up to adding comments for every title--in my journal, I use a rating system to differentiate titles, and just comment on the books I like. I think I'll stick to this system for now, though do let me know if it would be helpful to have more information.
Rating System:**
1 Barely Readable
2 Readable, with major flaws
3 Decent
4 Recommended
5 Excellent
**I'm not pretending to be the New York Times here. I used to rate books in terms of "quality," but have since come to terms with the fact that my taste often tends to be a little low-brow (my favorite book is Steven King's The Stand). My ratings are based entirely on whether or not a book was fun or interesting to read. Therefore, if you're in the market for a new book, stick with 3.5 and above ratings.
Another note: this list is long; I apologize for future short lists. I just have a little extra time on my hands these days.
1. The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B., by Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
I blame Elese for getting me on this historical fiction kick. This series is a bit girly (though surprisingly chaste), and highly readable. The 3-volume set covers, with fairly well-researched details, the entire life of Napolean's first wife.
2. Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe, By Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
Volume 2 of the series.
3. The Last Great Dance on Earth, By Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
Volume 3.
4. Princess, By Jean Sasson, Rating: 3.7
Not very well-written, but a well-intentioned (if oddly structured) look at the life of upper class Saudi women in the 1980s.
5. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, By Alexander McCall Smith. Rating: 2.8
What's the deal with this series? It's predictable and often downright boring.
6. Away From You, By Melanie Finn, Rating: 3.2
Memoir; story of a woman that returns to her childhood home in Africa to deal with unresolved father issues. Good descriptions of Africa in the 1960s and today, otherwise skipable.
7. Or Give Me Death, Ann Rinaldi, Rating: 2.9
I realized half-way through this book that it must be written for teens. It's more historical fiction, this time about the wife of Patrick Henry. The author takes major liberties with the story.
8. The Twins of Tribeca, Rachel Pine, Rating: 3.1
Chic-lit, but of the better variety. Whiny (they all are), but has decent insights into what it's like to be a movie publicist.
9. Losing It, Alan Cumyn, Rating 3.0
I read this three weeks ago, and the plot has already skipped my mind. I guess it wasn't that good. All I wrote down was "dark, formulaic, readable."
10. Snowed In, Christina Bartolomeo, Rating: 3.8
This poor book is actually quite good, and cursed with a chic-lit cover. I grabbed it at the library thinking I'd get something really light and fluffy for the weekend, and instead got genuine literary fiction. The author isn't quite there yet, but I'll watch for her future books. The plot is somewhat complicated, but it boils down to finding out who you are.
11. Population: 485, Michael Perry, Rating: 3.0
Another library book, with yet another misleading cover. The jacket claims it's about finding entrance into a community by being a volunteer firefighter. It is about being a volunteer firefighter, but this guy never finds a community. You get the distinct feeling that he wrote this book so that people would think he has friends. It's weird.
12. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute, Rating: 4.7
I mentioned this in a previous post--please read it. Ignore everything else on this list. It's really, really good.
13. On the Beach, Nevil Shute, Rating: 4.2
Decent, but read A Town Like Alice instead.
14. The Smoke Jumper, Nicolas Evans, Rating: 4.1
I really liked this, probably because it was a book on tape. I've been painting the living room and dining room, and it passed the time well.
Book Reviews
Rating System:**
1 Barely Readable
2 Readable, with major flaws
3 Decent
4 Recommended
5 Excellent
**I'm not pretending to be the New York Times here. I used to rate books in terms of "quality," but have since come to terms with the fact that my taste often tends to be a little low-brow (my favorite book is Steven King's The Stand). My ratings are based entirely on whether or not a book was fun or interesting to read. Therefore, if you're in the market for a new book, stick with 3.5 and above ratings.
Another note: this list is long; I apologize for future short lists. I just have a little extra time on my hands these days.
1. The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B., by Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
I blame Elese for getting me on this historical fiction kick. This series is a bit girly (though surprisingly chaste), and highly readable. The 3-volume set covers, with fairly well-researched details, the entire life of Napolean's first wife.
2. Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe, By Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
Volume 2 of the series.
3. The Last Great Dance on Earth, By Sandra Gullard. Rating: 3.9
Volume 3.
4. Princess, By Jean Sasson, Rating: 3.7
Not very well-written, but a well-intentioned (if oddly structured) look at the life of upper class Saudi women in the 1980s.
5. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, By Alexander McCall Smith. Rating: 2.8
What's the deal with this series? It's predictable and often downright boring.
6. Away From You, By Melanie Finn, Rating: 3.2
Memoir; story of a woman that returns to her childhood home in Africa to deal with unresolved father issues. Good descriptions of Africa in the 1960s and today, otherwise skipable.
7. Or Give Me Death, Ann Rinaldi, Rating: 2.9
I realized half-way through this book that it must be written for teens. It's more historical fiction, this time about the wife of Patrick Henry. The author takes major liberties with the story.
8. The Twins of Tribeca, Rachel Pine, Rating: 3.1
Chic-lit, but of the better variety. Whiny (they all are), but has decent insights into what it's like to be a movie publicist.
9. Losing It, Alan Cumyn, Rating 3.0
I read this three weeks ago, and the plot has already skipped my mind. I guess it wasn't that good. All I wrote down was "dark, formulaic, readable."
10. Snowed In, Christina Bartolomeo, Rating: 3.8
This poor book is actually quite good, and cursed with a chic-lit cover. I grabbed it at the library thinking I'd get something really light and fluffy for the weekend, and instead got genuine literary fiction. The author isn't quite there yet, but I'll watch for her future books. The plot is somewhat complicated, but it boils down to finding out who you are.
11. Population: 485, Michael Perry, Rating: 3.0
Another library book, with yet another misleading cover. The jacket claims it's about finding entrance into a community by being a volunteer firefighter. It is about being a volunteer firefighter, but this guy never finds a community. You get the distinct feeling that he wrote this book so that people would think he has friends. It's weird.
12. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute, Rating: 4.7
I mentioned this in a previous post--please read it. Ignore everything else on this list. It's really, really good.
13. On the Beach, Nevil Shute, Rating: 4.2
Decent, but read A Town Like Alice instead.
14. The Smoke Jumper, Nicolas Evans, Rating: 4.1
I really liked this, probably because it was a book on tape. I've been painting the living room and dining room, and it passed the time well.
Book Reviews
Meet Finn
Here's the latest addition to team Oakland--a very big, beautiful, healthy little boy. His parents Shawn and Lisa Hazen are happy to have him home at last. His full name is Finian Lucas Hazen, he weighed in at 9lbs. 1oz., and his birthday is September 8th (see? another Virgo!).
Friday, September 09, 2005
Hannah's Birthday
I've been thinking a lot about ways to repurpose this blog. My life really isn't all that interesting these days, so it's a bit difficult to write. I also don't have a camera anymore, although I plan to correct that issue soon. I'm thinking about perhaps starting to post a few book reviews, as soon as I can figure out how to do sidebars on the site--I'd like to take advantage of that book journal I started a few years ago and post a few lists (top 10 titles, best books on Africa, etc.). The best book I've read in the past few fews is A Town Like Alice (thanks to Hayden's dad Wib for the recommendation). It covers a lot of ground--prisoners of war, losing loved ones, building a town, romance--and is extremely well written. The author, Nevil Shute, is better known for On the Beach, but A Town Like Alice is much better.
Other than reading, I've been painting the house, watching way too much TV (I'm hooked on Scrubs right now), interviewing for jobs, and seeing friends. Hannah, pictured above with her husband Gabe, is a friend from college who has kindly agreed to be my workout partner. We've only gone once so far, but I think with two people we're a bit more likely to motivate ourselves to go.
Also thinking of Hannah, I've realized that nearly half of my friends have birthdays in August or September (Hannah's was a few weeks ago). What does that say about me? I'm not sure.
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