Tuesday Book Club
Yesterday Little Willow laid out this smack-down challenge about us all trying to read fifty books this year:
I would love to take part! I read an average of a book a day. Bring it on. 
EEEP! Her name seems so gentle, but she’s obviously total burl when it comes to reading.
All I have to report this week is reading most, but not all, of the Wilderness Medical Handbook. Great plot (person gets hurt, person will die unless you do something NOW! Are you doing it yet? Why not? Have you forgotten everything we taught you? Did you remember to check for scene safety? What, are you trying to create a second victim here? Oh, and remember to elevate the legs. Unless it’s a head injury, in which case you’ll kill your patient. Now go have fun in the outdoors!), and lots of pictures.
And you??
Technorati Tags: Book Clubs, 50 Book Book Club, Tuesday Book Club, Books, Reading, Reading Lists, Book Recommendations, Little Willow Is Going To Kick Our Kiesters
Way Of The Cheetah by Lynn Viehl (Non Fiction)and I’ll finish Mugging The Muse by Holly Lisle today. (Also NF, and a free download from her site.)
Little Willow – where’s Mad Martigan?
Yay, Heather!
Patrick, what am I missing? Explain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_(film)
I just finished a YA book which is the second in the series THE SEA OF MONSTERS.
I have had several of my students tell me how great the book is and I will admit I enjoyed it. We are studying Ancient Greece right now so it is cool to see how Rick Riordan has brought in the Gods/Goddesses and monsters into modern times. I will quite willingly read the next one, but I have to pass this book on to the next kid panting in the wings to read it.
I don’t know if you have been following the blog at “Dear Authors” The conversation has been around romances and wimpy heroines. As a lifelong reader it has been interesting to me to see how the genre has changed. But I must admit that what has always drawn me to mysteries is that the females don’t stand around waiting to be rescued. I think we are seeing those same changes in YA fiction with the girls becoming much stronger. I applaud that because I think our girls need to know that they can struggle through and succeed without being rescued.Life is too difficult to stand around waiting for rescue. I think your blog is a great example of a woman who does not wait to be rescued.
Have a great day.
I read a Pony Pals book, several magazines, and “Deception” by Philip Roth. My favorite lines from that book were, “The trouble with life is you don’t really know if this is a downward process. The trouble with life is you don’t really know what’s going on at all.” They seemed especially meaningful after days of seven loads of laundry from a Linda Blair-like vomit spewing child. Didn’t see that mentioned in your First Responder notes…
I finished Hillbilly Gothic by Adrienne Martini. It’s not what it sounds like – it’s actually a memoir about post-partum depression. Hard stuff.
Well,I devoured(not literally)Philippa Gregory’s latest,The Boleyn Inheritance,and started a new book called Free Food For Millionaires. FFFM is a debut novel by Min Jin Lee and will be out in May;this is one to watch for,folks!
Still taking my time with The Robber Bride-didn’t see the TV movie version but I may be better off. One of the ads for it described RB as a “Thriller”,which the book is certainly not reading as one,so far.
Boy, Eisha, you’re not kidding about how that title doesn’t at all represent the book. Yikes. Sounds like you need a comedy next.
Deborah, you crack me up. I mean, I feel for you (and no, I don’t have any quick fixes for the spewing vomit, other than keep the spewer hydrated, which I’m sure you already are), but that’s still a funny comment. I think Philip Roth needs a comedy next, too.
Lady T, I’ve heard a lot of people rave about Phillipa Gregory’s books. I’ve still never read one. Are you recommending?
And readerdiane, I am so with you on this. I applaud all the books and movies and TV shows out there that are showing girls they can be strong and smart and confident. I love seeing how many kickass girls are already being raised out there. I have great hope for the next generation.
I wholeheartedly recommend Philippa Gregory-for a first read,my suggestion would be The Other Boleyn Girl. TOBG starts off a whole series of books about Henry the Eighth’s wives which also includes The Constant Princess and The Queen’s Fool.
A non-royal family title of hers that just came out in the US is A Respectable Trade,which is about slave trading in England and an unlikely romance. Gregory’s books are well researched and totally addictive like Lay’s chips. I also got the chance to meet her at a BEA a few years ago,she was very sweet and patient with the huge crowd waiting to get their ARCS signed.
Eeks! I’ve been MIA the past couple of weeks!! Sorry!
Well, as of last night, I have finished my 17th book. This past week I read Carrie Mac’s Crush and Gary Paulsen’s How Angel Peterson Got His Name. They were both good YA books.
I’m also (still) reading 12 Sharp! I love Janet Evanovich!!!! That’ll be done in the next day or two!
I’ve just finished a book that is being passed around in the family. Very Good. I think it has gotten me out of my reading doldrum. I’ll definitly pass it on to my brother.
One question. Is the ef word the same as the “F” word?
If it is I try to use it only for effect and when I’m angry.
I read a book!
I read Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers, which I received prepub because I have awesome connections. I’m currently reading Writing About Your Life: A Journey into the Past by William Zinsser.
Also – my friend just showed me this cool website called goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com (Robin, your book is already on there even though it has not come out yet, so I was the first person on the site to rate it [five stars, of course])
I write solely strong women. I have no interest in damsels in distress. In fact, a big theme for my current work in progress is about what constitutes “being saved” versus “saving yourself.”
Also, I’ve not been checking in recently since all of the books I’ve been reading are a secret, since it’s for a contest I’m judging. But I have been reading books.
Lady T, you said the magic words: the author was nice. That goes such a long way with me. Add Phillipa to my list.
Christen, no kidding you’ve been MIA! I just figured you were buried in school work (which it looks like you were). Glad you’re working through the semester’s YA reading list. Love Gary Paulsen–such a manly man, and he writes great books for boys (and girls–I enjoy them, too).
Herb, you are correct, and I use it that way, too, but still more than I should. But sometimes it just seems like no other word will do, huh?
Molly, yay! You read a book! Seriously, you know I deeply love you for giving my book five stars. Thank you so much.
Diana, you do write strong women, and that’s why I so enjoyed Secret Society Girl. Your heroine is smart, bold, imperfect, and yet admirable. I know you’ll keep it up.
I’ve been reading various essays about Democratic Peace Theory, which means I’ve been reading Kant by default. On the flip side of that are the essays on Realism about clashing cultures and the inherent need for humans to go to war.
Unfortunately, I disagree with many aspects of both theories (Realist and Liberal) so it’s been kind of infuriating.
Lizzie, I’m all for learning, but now they’re just messing with your mind. You need a fun read, my friend. Some science fiction or romantic comedy or something to cleanse your pallet (pallette? Somebody look that up, please).
It’s okay.. it’s Gene Kelly month on Turner Classic, so I watched like three of his movies last night to deflate. I mean, I was doing homework while I watched, but it was still a nice change of pace.
I love Gene Kelly! Love him singing and dancing in the musicals, even love his dramatic roles like in Inherit the Wind, where he played the reporter sent to cover the Scopes trial.
Townswoman: Do you need a nice place to stay?
Gene: Madam, I had a nice place to stay. I left it to come here.
He was my first love in life, ever since I saw Singin’ in the Rain when I was 3. I’ve seen at least a dozen of his movies, including Inherit the Wind, which is bomb.
Have you seen Take Me Out to the Ball Game? That movie is AB-SURD! You can totally tell Busby Berkeley was losing it when he made that flick…I highly recommend it!
I think I missed that one. For shame! Now I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks.
This might be a better link
I figure since I screwed up the last link, I owed another.
Please Robin, tell me this isn’t another movie you didn’t watch in the 80s. Where were you in 86-88 anyway?
I was really, really busy.
I began but did not yet complete BLIND SUBMISSION. It’s fun. Definitely feels farcical, but makes me look at literary agencies in a whole new way! Also began Sidney Poitier’s memoir (the Oprah pick), but haven’t finished that either. I seem to have completion issues.
Robin, I had my first pot of Camp 4 Coffee this morning, and I must say it was delicious! VERY smooth. I’ve got a whole pound….Welcome back!
Yay! Another convert! I’m enjoying my Camp 4 fresh from the source. It’s one of my favorite things about being up here in Crested Butte. Bear and I walk across the crunchy snow, being careful not to slip on any ice, and go claim my morning cup as soon as they open. Happy.
I am flattered by this post. The tag ” Little Willow Is Going To Kick Our Kiesters” cracked me UP.
I just started THINGS YOU EITHER HATE OR LOVE by Brigid Lowry, which was previously published in Australia and New Zealand as With Lots of Love from Georgia.
Gene Kelly, how do I adore thee? Let me count the ways – the talents: Actor. Singer. Dancer. Choreographer. Director.
Whenever someone tells me I should focus on one aspect of my career, I remind them (or at least myself) of Gene Kelly.
That’s “palate”.
Much obliged, BJ. I was too lazy to switch screens.
Little Willow, now that I know you’re both a speed reader AND a Gene Kelly fan, I can definitively declare you ABSOLUTE COOL. Yow.
Heh. BJ beat me to it….
[Apropos the post and comments: the year I don't read a couple hundred books is the one that finds me in an ashes-urn on the mantel. Of course, I'm retired (more or less), and I also speed-read - so that's maybe not a fair commentary....]
Gene Kelly…. is there ANYONE who doesn’t love him? (That’s rhetorical, but still….)
And yes, before anyone says anything…. I do seriously overuse ellipses – I assume that means that mostly my thoughts, not to mention my posts, go unfinished.
Vc, I knew BJ was a reading maniac, but you, too? I’m impressed with all of you.
Back to Gene Kelly: liked him better than Fred Astair in all those old movies because Gene was so athletic and manly. Sure, Fred was a great dancer, but he was also tall and lanky and just looked like he should be able to move in that spectacular dancer way. Whereas Gene looked like a normal, handsome, muscular, handsome, dreamy, handsome . . .
I’m sorry, what were you saying?
Re the Gene Kelly/Fred Astaire debate– You might think Gene Kelly was the more manly man, but he didn’t get beaned in the head with a swinging sleeve from Ginger Roger’s gown, said sleeve decked with literally POUNDS of glass bugle beads. What did Fred do? He kept dancing, didn’t miss a single step, then the minute the director yelled “CUT!” he passed out. And yes, he suffered a concussion from the collision.
Manly is as manly does . . .
And Robin, I hate to embarass you, but I didn’t have to look up “palate”.
Robin: Thank you!
Here’s some fun math with actors. Greater than? Oh, indeed:
Gene Kelly > Fred Astaire
Cary Grant > Brad Pitt
Barbara Stanwyck > Julie Roberts
1972 musical film version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland > Disney animated version of Alice in Wonderland
Oh, no, BJ, why would I be embarrassed? I’m a machine. I have no feelings.
And while I like that Fred story, I’m sorry, but I still agree with Little Willow: Gene Kelly > Fred Astaire.
Speaking of which, LW, I agree with your math table there, except I never saw the 1972 musical version of AAIW, so I can’t comment.
It is fantastic. It follows the books very well. Most of the dialogue and lyrics are lifted directly from the book. The music was created by John Barry, with lyrics by Don Black.
Best of all, ALICE IS A BRUNETTE! Ahem.
The Last Word is Mine:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K43Tce-061U
The White Rabbit (Michael Crawford) and Alice (Fiona Fullerton)
Little Willow:
Cary Grant
Hmmm. The previous post directed to LW didn’t come out “right” at all….
Does one need to escape “code-y bits” here? Hmmm.
Little Willow:
Cary Grant < Sean Connery
[If that doesn't display properly, what I'm trying to say is "Cary Grant is less than Sean Connery" *sigh*]
Hey VC – I am not a big Sean fan. Please don’t hate me. (My favorite Sean Connery related bits are actually the SNL Celebrity Jeopardy! skits.)
LW, I dont’ do tv at all so I’ve never seen those…. in fact, I don’t do movies much either – some that I like and watch over and over….