madameblogalot

State of Fear: Wow! This Michael Crichton book has lots to think about! If asked I would say it’s “about” global warming. But it’s about so much more than that. I really appreciate how much research Crichton puts into his stories; the author’s notes state that he read environmental publications for three years. And the bibliography list is impressive and interesting. I like though what the story is really about, the “state of fear”, the politicization of science and state, the control of the environment and the state, the place of the media in all this, the quest for power….I rate this one a HIT (except of course for my usual disclaimer on the harsh language.)

Leviathan ‘99: When I heard that the premise of this story was to do a Moby Dick type set in space, I was intrigued. I have to say though, that the story-while short and easy to read-was a MISS with me.

Somewhere a Band is Playing: I enjoyed the poetic use of language in this story. It was very reminiscent of Tuck Everlasting. Even so, I’ll rate it as neither a HIT or MISS.

The Andromeda Strain: I really like Michael Crichton novels. Our library does not have a big enough selection of them. I did find this old one. I think I even remember there being a movie when I was a kid. This story was a little more dry but I definitely like the lack of harsh, vulgar language! I don’t know if I quite “got” the whole story. While it was not quite the HIT most of his stories have been with me, it definitely is not a MISS.

Fahrenheit 451: I read this book several years ago and liked it. I found another copy on the library paperback exchange shelf so I grabbed it up (having given away two other copies.) I thought my son would like to read it. He still may, but in the meantime I read it again. I still like the book and I feel like it has some good things to think about. I am not crazy about the ending, but I do feel like the open ending was a good idea. I still rate this book a HIT.

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: These “modern tales for our life and times” are pretty hilarious! Even after 15 years, they reflect the politically correct ideals that have become pervasive in our society. Most of the stories are a pretty funny poke at ourselves! I rate this little collection a HIT.

Disclosure: I guess I am on a Michael Crighton kick these days! Although I was not sure what this story was about and I was not prepared to read a two page sex scene, it was vital to the story. I really do like how Crighton takes contemporary issues and puts them in an easy to read story yet makes you really think about the issue itself. This novel was based on a true story, and even if it was not, it is likely that there are plenty of similar stories. While I still have to put my personal disclaimer on the language used throughout the book, and the explicit sex scene (which again is vital to this story) I will rate this one a HIT as well.

The Scarlet Pimpernel: (on stage) While visiting the campus of Faulkner University, I saw that The Scarlet Pimpernel was playing. I enjoy the book and tried to get a ticket. The show was sold out but an admissions officer got me a free ticket for the night we were visiting! The performance was fine and I did have to laugh at how outrageous they made the “dandy” pimpernel and his cohorts. I think I still like the book better but I’ll give the show a HIT anyway.

In my husband’s training for Iron man it calls for lots of drill training. So I’ve incorporated some of that drill training in both my swimming and my cycling. I wasn’t sure if it was helpful or not and I do get tired of doing the drills on the bike indoors….but I do think that it has helped.

My swim has improved about :15 since a year ago. That’s pretty good. I’m not sure if it is due to the drills or just doing more swimming in general. I do think my cycling drills have helped increase both my strength and speed. As there are a couple triathlons coming up for me, I will see just how far this little practice has taken me…

Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West: This short National Geographic film is informative and interesting and filled with beautiful scenery. I like this kind of thing and have been impressed with the work of Lewis, Clark, The Corps of Discovery and the assistance of Sacagawea and the other Native Americans who helped them. I am always amazed at the journals, maps and drawings kept by Lewis and Clark as well as the fortitude of all involved (especially Sacagawea-giving birth and caring for an infant!) I would call this one a HIT for me.

Next: Wow…Michael Crichton has some interesting stories, ones that are current in today’s society and have far reaching effects for the future. I think it is a good way to open the eyes of the general public to real issues that seem too lofty for many to think they can understand. While I did not enjoy this story as much the one I read last month, it did give cause for lots of thought, especially after reading the Author’s Notes and Bibliography. The story seemed disturbing, even more so after seeing how much of it is based on fact! It reminded me also of a review I had recently read about another book soon released about a chimpanzee that evolves into a human. (Just the review of that book disturbed me.) I learned some new terms with this book and some new ideas (and that some new ideas are really a hundred years old!) I will call this one both a HIT and a MISS for me. Though the story did take on more meaning after reading the notes and bibliography…

Deception Point: I thought I’d go with a Dan Brown novel to see if the language was any less strong/frequent. (Not much.) The story was pretty good. It is filled with ideas of government conspiracy theories, which I think are not too far fetched. The story also involved NASA and ideas to privatize it. Living close to Johnson Space Center and knowing many in the area associated with NASA, this part of the story seemed close to home. While I liked the story, I did not really like the ending. I think I would rate this one as a HIT anyway.

Inception: Some friends have been wanting to see this movie. We found a semi-free night and stayed up late watching it. It is just a good movie. I enjoy the thought-provoking nature of the story. I still rate it a HIT.

Timeline: I found this story intriguing at the beginning. And for a while I thought that without all the harsh language it could be a fun story for young adults too. I did find out that this story has been made into a movie, and at first I thought I’d like to see it. I still might, but with all the harsh language and the gruesome violence I am not sure the movie is for me. As for the story, I will rate it as neither a HIT or MISS.

The Wheel of Samsara: This short story is available to read online. It is a quick read. I have to say that while I did not quite “get it”, I laughed out loud at the final sentence. I will rate it as neither a HIT or MISS.

Reader’s Digest: I read most of the magazine. As always, it’s a HIT with me.

The Orkney Scroll: Found this book on the paperback exchange shelf at the library and liked the way it sounded. It is an archeological mystery book, sort of reminded me of Agatha Christie and also another art history mystery series. This book was a quick and easy read as well as interesting. I don’t mind learning a bit of history with my fiction! I will rate this one a HIT and will be looking for other titles in this series as well.

The Cosby Show Pilot Episode: We sat down with the kids to watch this classic on Netflix. I have seen it before and think the kids had too. We really enjoyed it. It was fun to see some of the differences that were part of the pilot and the following episodes (I believe one of the girls called the brother “Teddy”, they only had 4 kids, the house was different downstairs…) There were several times I laughed out loud. I will rate this one still a HIT after 20+ years.

My mom was re-doing the border in her kitchen. When I saw it still in the package, I laughed, saying that is how I feel lately!

Of course, it’s not the full text on the banner, which really states “Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often.” A much better sentiment of how life should be!

Prey: What an intriguing story. I could hardly put this book down (which is surprising since the frequent harsh language in it is very hard for me to read.) It was a fascinating story and I would call this one a HIT for me.

Under the Ash: This little book of poetry is an easy read (though requires lots of thought too!) by one of my favorite authors! I enjoyed all the poems, though I know that I am neither clever enough nor well-read enough to fully appreciate them to the fullest extent. Some of my favorites include Cursed, Manipulation (reminded me of the book I had just finished), Civil War in the Sunday Funnies, Colonization, and one of my all time favorites Spectrophotoelectric (did this one have new additions?) I would rate this book a HIT.

The Prisoner in the Third Cell: While this book is easy to read, I guess it just wasn’t my style. I sort of got the impression that is was a sort of embellished sermon. I guess I would rate this one as a MISS for me.

A Tale of Three Kings: This book did not make much sense to me. I don’t know if it was just that it was a MISS or that I just did not understand it. All I got out of it is that if your son is rebelling, or someone is bad to you, do nothing. And I certainly missed the point of “God never tells.” This book was also a MISS for me.

Little Pilgrim’s Progress: This kid’s version of John Bunyan’s classic makes the story easy to read. While the ideals are straightforward and simplistic it speaks a message as well. For me, I would rate the book neither a HIT or MISS, though I do wish I’d had it to read to the kids when they were young. I think now it would be too “little kid” for them, even though the message is still valid.

World’s Fastest Indian: This indie film starring Anthony Hopkins was all right. I would rate it neither a HIT or MISS, but it was a good enough way to pass the evening with my husband while the kids were gone!

The Picture of Dorian Gray(1945 film): This film carried the strong message of the novel. I liked the movie well enough, even though most of it was black and white. It was a bit slow moving in places and might be hard to grasp how some things play into the story if you haven’t read the book. I think the ending was changed as well as a few details. Overall, I would rate the movie a HIT since it maintained the storyline and the message. I think it might have been a rather chilling movie in 1945.

We are signed up to do a long distance bike ride next week. Today was packet pick up. When my husband returned home with our packets I could not believe it. It had to be the worst race packet ever! Inside was a flyer for next year’s ride, a coupon for Jiffy Lube and a flyer for Old Navy. Also, a sample size of Wheaties. That at least was something, but I know that the YMCA (who is sponsoring this) got a load of those as give-aways, since our local Y has been giving out those same free Wheaties samples for over a week now! And to top it off, they were out of T-shirts!! My husband and I voted it the worst race packet ever!

I need a good book! I have not had too many HITS on my list this month. My dad did recommend a couple of books that I am going to look for at the library! Hopefully they will be HITS on my next list. I am open to any recommendations. I really need a good book to read!

Staying busy
Time goes by
At home or away
You never know what will come up
In and out all day long
No time to blog
Going, going, going

But there are moments
Unaffected by busy-ness
Sometimes I get a nap
You know those are priceless

Hamlet (film, Mel Gibson): When I was going to have my son read Hamlet this year, my husband suggested this movie, and he would watch with us. If my husband was suggesting Shakespeare and was going to watch with us, you bet I was going to give it a go! The movie was fine for me and my husband. My son was a bit bored, so he said, but didn’t mind watching the end before we could get back to it. I enjoyed it as much as I could. I didn’t realize how many quotes are in this story. I also laughed at several lines-not sure if that is how they are intended or that is just Gibson’s delivery. Overall, I guess this version would be neither a HIT or MISS, though I thought it was good enough.

A Short History of a Small Place: This story had a unique perspective. While I enjoyed the overall story, the language was a big detraction for me. And being told in so many flashbacks lost me part of the time in the story. The flashback would go on so long that I would forget what was going on in the present story! Every time I would think the book just might be a HIT, I would decide not. And just when I thought I’d have to list it as a MISS, it would have me laughing out loud. So I guess I will rate it as neither a HIT or MISS.

The Lost Symbol: This is my first time to read a Dan Brown novel. I was intrigued by the movie Angels and Demons I saw a few months ago, so when I saw this book at Goodwill, I thought I’d give it a try. While some of the ideals and “messages” were a MISS with me (as was some of the language), the story was good. I enjoy stories that incorporate a little history, a little mystery, a little thought provoking ideas and this one seemed to have all those elements. I finished it in less than a week. I will vote the story a HIT.

The Bible As/In Literature: I finished reading this textbook that I am using for one of my son’s courses. It is interesting and provides some interesting insights through the questions and activities at the end of each reading. I would rate this one as a HIT as far as textbooks go.

Reader’s Digest: My husband subscribed me to Reader’s Digest last month as a gift. Our whole family has always enjoyed this magazine. While I have not really read every article in it yet, I still rate it as a HIT.