I have to admit that my reading should be mostly fantasy because it is the Once Upon a Time challenge, but instead I am trying to squeeze in books about the Titanic for the week at Historical Tapestry. I recently finished a local book called Halifax and Titanic. So, while I have lots of other books on the go (and many more that I would really like to read), I have become a bit addicted to the Titanic. This will probably mean a quieter year for the Once Upon a Time Challenge, but the centennial of the Titanic only happens once.
I am currently reading:
This is very readable non-fiction. I have read a lot of non-fiction on the Titanic over the years, so I very rarely learn much new, but Brewster has written this book differently and concentrated on people that do not generally get that much attention. I should finish it up today.
I am just over halfway through this book. I had paused in reading it because we are going to post on half of it on Monday and I didn't want to get too far ahead.
I have an ARC of this from NetGalley. I have been putting it off because it is a pdf and I hate pdf, but I have just been reading it on my computer. This will get me caught up in the series....
I have several other books started, but these are the three I have been working at and stand to finish soon. The others will get picked back up when I finish something, though.
What have you been reading this week? Do you have a favourite book about (or featuring) the Titanic?
Look at all the books I have started lately... I have been a bit moody in my reading lately. The thing is there is nothing wrong with the books. It is a combination of not enough reading time and just lacking the ability to just sit down with one book. I keep putting them aside and glancing at something else. I like to think it is because it is spring and spring usually means lots of new projects, but it also means that I want to finish all of these books as a sort of spring cleaning.
I am battling a cold, so my reading has been weird this week. As a result other than the books I have finished all ready, I have only been paying attention to three others.
My fourth Star Trek book in a row. I have owned this series for years and am only finally getting around to it. I might take a break after this one and read a few standalone books. We will see what happens.
This book is sort of suffering at the moment. I want to give it my full attention and I have been too distracted. I really need to sit down with it because Heather, who I am reading it with, is way ahead of me! Stupid cold!
The only reason this book is taking me a while is because I have been neglecting my e-reader. I am really liking it and was so happy that Kobo had it for 99 cents so I took a chance on it. It's really good steampunk so far.
I have other books started, but I neglected them all this week. Where I am feeling sort of crappy, though, I might have a reading weekend in store for me!
What has everyone else been reading?
Did everyone see this video of Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars singing together? It is off the Hunger Games soundtrack. I love The Civil Wars!
So, today is the closest thing to an anniversary that the charming comedian and I have. It is basically a day to start a new year on. He is working back shifts so we didn't do anything special. Last night (or early this morning rather) I was telling him I looked back on old posts to see the first time I at least tagged that a post contained something about the charming comedian. The following conversation occurred:
CC: You still call me that on your blog? Me: Yep. CC: Why? I am not really charming OR a comedian. Me: That's kind of the point.
Don't worry, I am not really that mean. I did later say something along the lines of 'Just Kidding'.
For television it has mostly been Star Trek and I did get back to Bones a bit. Our current project is watching Roots because it is the 35th anniversary. I know I have seen it before, and some of it is really familiar, but it has been too long for me to remember the details. It is also Black History Month, so I thought it was a fitting time. I also plan to watch The Color Purple. I read the book a few years ago and then couldn't find the movie anywhere. I finally have it, so hopefully will get to that soon.
I did finally get around to a few movies lately. One I refuse to admit that I watched because it was horrible, but I will admit to 3.
Just Go With It - The guy really likes Jennifer Aniston, so we usually watch her movies eventually. This one was actually pretty good. She is a good actress and Adam Sandler didn't annoy me so much. His cousin or whatever did, but that is to be expected. I was surprised by the appearance of Nicole Kidman. I had no idea she was in the movie. Oh, and Dave Matthews. The cc wouldn't believe even the credits that it was him so I had to look it up and prove it to him. A keeper.
Crazy. Stupid. Love - I wanted to see this when it was in theatres, but the people we were going to the movies with had all ready seen it. It has been in the back of my mind for a while, though, and I have to admit that we both enjoyed it. I liked how it all came together in the end. I have to admit that I missed a part in the middle, though, so plan to rewatch it soon so I can see the full effect. Isn't Ryan Gosling everywhere lately? A keeper.
127 Hours - I had a vague memory of this movie once I heard that James Franco was in it, but I didn't remember the story it was based on all that well. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the movie because he is stuck by himself. It is hard to make a movie with really only one character. It wasn't terrible and probably captured what happened very well, but I don't think it is something I need to watch again. I would rather read the book. Good, but no need to keep.
I decided to work on this series this week. I read the 7th and have now moved on to this one. It's not the best series ever, but it is good and I do enjoy reading it. It is really all that I have read by James Patterson...
I am still making my way through this book. It is very interesting and I am learning a lot of stuff. I am not entirely sure it is all stuff I had a pressing need to know, but she presents it in a very readable way.
Kobo had this for 99 cents. I don't really know much about it, but I had to get a new phone and joined the Smart phone revolution. I started this book just to see what the e-reader is like on my phone. I will still probably use other methods, but it wasn't that bad for when I am somewhere and I have only my phone to use...
Thanks to Deanna from Polishing Mud Balls I have been listening to NEEDTOBREATHE tonight. They are actually not that bad... I have their newer CD, The Outsiders, playing. I have never heard of them before, but they seem to have more than one CD...
Here is an example of their music:
Then, did you see that Walk off the Earth has a new video up? I think they are well on the way to being famous. They signed a record label and we heard this song on a commercial today! Yay for Canadian musicians!
1. Could you eat the same thing for lunch every day? What would it be?
Probably. I hate cooking, so I am pretty simplistic. It would probably be pasta, but then, that can be lots of different kinds of things...
2. How many library books do you have checked out right now?
um, 10, I think.
3. Do you feel strongly about specific music? or more of a music in general type person?
I am a music in general person. I usually have it on in the background when I am on the computer or whatever.
4. What is your favorite brick and morter retail store?
I am not much for shopping either. Probably the local second-hand bookstore. For the guy it is easily Canadian Tire.
5. What is your favorite online store?
Book Depository.
6. What is your favorite moment of heartstopping romantic tension? (Book, movie, music, tv, real life, art, anywhere.)
Oh, wow, I don't know. I don't really think of things like that. See the beginning of my post? That's about as romantic as it gets...
7. What is the first book you remember reading? Green Eggs and Ham!
8. Are you creative in any way? How so?
Not really...
9. Not counting your family, pets, and vital personal documents/pictures, what one thing would you save in a fire?
My postcard collection. I have old ones that came from my family, people have given me plenty, and then I have all the ones I have received in the mail from friends and family.
10. What is your favorite type of vacation (museums, beach, cabin, mountains, theme parks)?
Oh, that is a hard call. I love museums, but then on the other hand I enjoy theme parks. I prefer to do be doing something when I take a trip, so sitting on the beach doesn't really interest me.
11. What is the most surprising or unexpected thing you've done in the last 12 months?
hm... Well, two days ago I got a Smart Phone. That shocked me!
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Then, since I was doing it I decided to answer the questions from Fizzy Thoughts. The questions originally come from Trish at eclectic/eccentric.
1. What is your favorite piece of art?
I have no idea... Art is not something I have really paid a lot of attention to...
2. What literary character do you think would make an awesome world leader?
um... hm.... This is a bad question from right now because I am in a cranky political mood, so I will pass.
3. What color do you think should be outlawed from clothing?
Anything really really bright. It is hard on the eyes.
4. Hats. Yes or no?
Yep!
5. What contemporary novel should be added to the high school curriculum? A Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
6. What book featuring real people do you think could work if the characters were switched to animals?
These questions are hard! Anything I can think of other people have all ready said and I don't want to copy, so I have no idea.
7. Genetically designed humans. Hell yes or absolutely not?
Hell no!
8. What book would you like to see get parodied a la Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?
NOTHING! Ruins a perfectly good book...
9. What book would you absolutely hate to see get parodied? The Time-Traveller's Wife. I very randomly really enjoy that book.
10. TV. Awesome source of entertainment or horrifying time suck?
I don't really watch that much TV.
11. What literary character should immediately jump off the page and into your bed?
Something else I don't really think about! The sad thing is that the first thing that popped into my head was Skulduggery Pleasant... But, well, he's a skeleton, so that's a bit disturbing!
I only read the introduction to this book. I am supposed to read it for a buddy read this month, though, so I really should get around to it soon. I want to finish the Kingsolver first, though.
I didn't really need another short story collection, but this came in for me at the library and I decided to see about finishing it to post about on Valentine's day. It just seemed to be good timing.
I am really enjoying this book, but with all my other 'projects' it keeps getting pushed to the side. When I do read it I spend a bit of time with it, but obviously I need to spend a bit more!
This will probably be on here for the month. I am just reading a story or 2 here and there depending on how much time I have. I think this is going to be my method for the year because I have many short story collections that are unread.
This book continues to be rather interesting. For one thing, I think it is brave for people to share their experiences in such a public format. It also gives you things to think about. I like to say I am pretty open-minded, but there are times where I probably could be more so...
I am about halfway through this book and really enjoying it. I have been brain-storming ways to have even a little garden this year, which I do most years anyway, and I was explaining to the cc yesterday that I would really like to learn how to make cheese.
At the rate I am going this is going it will be 2013 before I finish it. It's my own fault. I never have enough hours in the day for everything that I want to do and I always have too many books on the go!
Watching BBC Sherlock Season 1: A Q & A About the Experience with Suey and Melissa.
-- Favorite thing about this show?
Well, first up I am very happy that Sherlock Holmes is played by someone other than Robert Downey Jr. As much as I enjoy the movie versions he is just not who I had pictured for Holmes. I am a bit torn on the two actors playing Watson, though. They are both very different; but each have their strong points. On a more serious note, my favourite things about the show are the humour, creativity of changing the time period entirely and making it work, and the chemistry between Watson and Holmes. Obviously that ties into the humour over and over again, but what I actually mean is that the two actors work well together.
-- Least favorite thing about the show?
Okay, I am sure there is probably something, but nothing is really coming to mind at the moment.
-- Analyze the characters.
Well, first there is Sherlock. I think that he is played really well. I can picture the character that I have read about easily while watching him on the screen. He might not be a perfect casting choice, but that is the hard part about watching books become movies. I enjoy watching his mind work and his humour even if he is not necessarily trying to be funny. I think it is a good interpretation of how Sherlock works. Then, we have Watson. When I saw him in the very beginning I didn't really think he matched what I had always pictured as a Watson, but as I continued to watch I couldn't help thinking he captures the character very well. He is a perfect companion for Holmes and plays off him very well. I also enjoy that instead of writing their adventures into books he is blogging about it. I am just going to go with the two main characters.
-- How is this one different from other Sherlock shows?
I have to admit that I have only really watched Sherlock the one other time and that was just the Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law movies. I believe that their core the shows are very similar, but the writers also have their own interpretations of how to show it on the screen. Also, this show is actually British with British actors. The movies are not. They do have things like the humour, the connection of Holmes and Watson, etc in common, though.
-- Are you most into the stories? Or the characters? Or the actors?
I think it is a little bit of both. The stories really come together and I enjoy learning both the back stories and watching Holmes get to the bottom of the cases. Then, I really enjoy both Holmes and Watson. They make the watching experience a lot of fun. And, in order for them to work so well they have to be played by wonderful actors. So, I enjoy all three.
My Questions:
-- Have you ever read the original novels? If so, how do you think the characters compare to those in the books?
I have read some of the original books, but I haven't finished. I would like to catch-up this year, though. I have read enough to get an idea of the characters, though, and like I said above they might not be exactly as I pictured them, but they still have a lot going for them.
-- Which was your favourite episode of the 3?
I think the very first one was my favourite just because I enjoyed the puzzle of it all. But then, I also enjoyed when Moriarty was introduced through a voice on the phone and Holmes had to solve puzzles to save them all. I really think all three episodes had redeeming qualities that made them all very enjoyable overall.
-- Did you like how the show is set in the present day?
I love it! I think it opens up much more creativity for the show to break away a bit from the 'common' story. It also opens up the door for new technology. In the very first episode when they are having a press conference and Sherlock keeps sending text messages to all of the reporters telling them the police are wrong is priceless. This is not something that would have been possible if they had set it in the past.
-- What do you think of how while Sherlock is thinking words appear on the screen instead of the watcher being left in the dark.
I love this idea! The guy does, too. I like watching how Sherlock comes up with his ideas. The way that he thinks is wonderful. We should all be more observant!
-- What do want to see in the second season?
Well, I am going to be obvious and just say I want to know how the cliff-hanger ending is addressed.
Final Thoughts: This was fun! I don't watch a lot of things as a group, so I was excited to do something a bit different. If you have read my blog with any regularity you will notice that I enjoy buddy reads, so this was the next possible step. I also think we chose a great show to try this with. I look forward to more review with Suey and Melissa in the future, but also to more Sherlock!
Then, I just wanted to inform everyone that there will be the first months wrap-up post on Lu's blog today. Be sure and check it out and make sure you didn't miss anything. The Linky and such for February will be on this blog on the 28th. I hope to see people participate!
Lastly, I know I won't have time to join in for this event, but if anyone needs someone to write to I will happily write back. I also collect postcards... Just saying! (If you need my address just ask.)
I simply forgot to update my blog yesterday. I don't even have an excuse! Today is a snow day for the schools but so far there is very little snow. Casey is sitting in the window watching it fall, though. It is one of her favourite activities. She is in her glory as it is because some nice person dug all of her toys out from under the couch.
Tuning in on Thursday - Week 11
This was another quiet viewing week...
Television
BBC Sherlock Holmes Season 1 - I started this show back in December, but I just kept failing to get back to it. In the end I watched the first episode 3 times. I was supposed to review this in more depth with a couple other people, but not sure what is going on now.
Once Upon a Time - We finally caught-up in this show. I am still really enjoying it! We watched 1 episode one night and the other 2 another. I am looking forward to the new episode on Sunday!
Friday Reads 4th Edition
I finished my other short story collection, so I decided to see what this one was like. I am not even sure where it came from, but it fits in with the Science-Fiction Experience. I have only read the first story so far.
I have owned this book forever! I am happy that I am finally getting around to it. This is for a buddy read with Ana from things mean a lot. I think this is the first time I have ever read any of Kingsolver's non-fiction, but she writes really well.
I cannot remember for sure where I heard of this book, but when it arrived for me at the library the other day I decided to see what it was all about. It is easy to read a bit of it here and there.
Reading this book right now is just silly because I have so much else on the go, but I am actually quite enjoying it. I have been reading it slowly for the first little while.
I did get a chance to read a large chunk of this yesterday. I started it at the beginning of the month, but then it was sort of sat down and not picked up again. It is a really good book but there is only so much time in a day and I read too many books at a time.
I did actually read some of this since my last post, but I STILL haven't finished book 1. I am not sure why I am reading this book so slowly. I think the key is not to keep putting it down because then it takes me forever to get back to it. I am enjoying it, but it is not knocking my socks off... I will hopefully get back to it soon.
Hi! I hope that even if you are not interested in the actual content of this post you will at least pop by to offer your impressions on my new template. I am very excited about it! It was designed by Alex at Le Canape. I think she did an awesome job and that it really suits me. I have been rearranging things a bit, but if you have any suggestions feel free to chime in.
Tuning in on Thursday - Week 10
This was actually a quiet viewing week...
Movies
Horrible Bosses - You know how everyone has celebrity crushes? Well, the guy is a huge fan of Jennifer Aniston. If she is in a movie I know that I eventually will have to see it. This worked out well when I wanted to see Marley and Me, though. I wanted to eventually see this one anyway, so I was glad that we sat down and watched it the other night. It was funny, but I expected better. It could have been a lot better than it was, though. There was not as much humour and laugh out loud moments as I would have liked.
Valkyrie - This was actually on television the other night. I am not a huge fan of Tom Cruise, but I like movies set during World War 2. It was actually rather good. I wanted to see it when it came out, but forgot about it for a while there. I actually recommend it and would like to watch it again without the commercials.
Friday Reads - 3rd Edition
Hypothetically... I haven't had much time to read this lately and I really need to get back to it.
Also hypothetically...
I am reading this now. My audio book plans have taken a vacation because the guy's mp3 player broke and he borrowed mine. He was at least nice enough to wait until I got this from the library. If I was a big audio book listener it would probably be a big deal, but where it was still relatively new I am good for the time being. The guy can't handle not having music, so I was nice.
I was hoping to at least finish this book tonight, but I went to see a play that my friend was in earlier, then I had to shovel the driveway, and now the guy is coming home early from work because of a heating issue in one of the apartments. It is mainly because we are both a bit concerned about the space heater they are using in the meantime...
I am really happy to be back in the reading mood lately, but I just can't seem to find time to do it. I am a bit disappointed because there is so much that I want to be reading and I am going so slowly! January is usually a good reading month for me; so hopefully it starts to pick-up soon.
I have been thinking a lot about my reading lately. In 2012 I would really like to read an essay collection a month, read more short stories, take advantage of the Shakespearean challenge I joined and read more plays, and then of course read more poetry for my own co-hosted event. Then, I would really like to increase my non-fiction reading I used to read a lot more than I do now and my shelves are littered with really interesting looking books I just haven't got around to reading. I also want to cutback on the library. I still plan to use it, but I am going to keep the pile small to avoid temptation. Right now I only have 5 or 6 books out from there and I am going to try and keep it around there. As to reading numbers? I don't really care so much about the grand total, but I want to try and make the majority of my reading from my physical TBR pile. These are the things I have been thinking about for 2012. I am also trying to listen to more audiobooks, but I have mentioned that goal in previous posts.
Moving on. I am currently reading:
I was doing really well reading this book, but I keep getting interrupted and I am starting to slow down. The other night I was reading along and then I had to go shovel the driveway because we had a snowstorm. I was planning to get back to it right afterwards, but the guy came home early from work and my night was rearranged. I am liking it so far, so hopefully I can dedicate some time to it soon. It is for a group read. (Personal e-book)
ah, Shakespeare. I really have a hard time with plays and reading for fun, but I am determined to figure out the big deal surrounding some of the plays I have never read before. I started this last night and I am all ready thinking I missed a bunch. We will see how it goes and whether I can keep up this play a month. (Personal copy)
My second non-fiction read of the year. The first night I read this I managed to get through 100 pages. Since then I have hardly touched it. I had actually hoped to finish it this week so I could start a new non-fiction read, but that would mean actually have time to read it. It is really interesting and I am enjoying it so far. (Library)
I started this book at the very beginning of the year and have only picked it up once since. It's my first Sedaris and I am enjoying it, but I just haven't had time to get back into it. Every time I say I am going to something comes up. I am looking forward to more from this collection and hopefully more from Sedaris later in the year. (Personal Copy)
Another book I never seem to be able to get back around to reading. This is not surprising because short stories are not really my thing, but in this case it is a time issue. I really need more hours in the day! (Personal Copy)
Now, I did listen to this while shovelling snow the other night, so that was one thing that worked out! I am on chapter 12, I believe. I am really enjoying my listening of it and plan to read a physical copy later this year. I know I get distracted and miss things here and there, so I want to make sure I get the whole effect because I am enjoying the read so much.
