Finished Codex

Codex by Lev Grossman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was really impressed with this other Lev Grossman novel. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I did his newest book, 'The Magicians,' but I still found myself racing to the finish to find out what was going to happen to Edward Wozny. Gaming isn't really my thing and neither is medieval literature, so I wouldn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. It was kind of like 'The Da Vinci Code,' but with less twists and a better final reveal.

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'Nuff Said

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Gabourey Sidibe

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/11/gabby_sidibe_makes_conan_debut.html

I just watched this interview this past weekend and I rewound it several times because I enjoyed it so much! I hope she gets nominated and I hope to see Precious soon.

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: There's a Party In My City

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: There's a Party In My City

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Finished The Group

The Group by Mary McCarthy


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had never even heard of this book but it was briefly featured on an episode of 'Mad Men.' The character Betty Draper was reading this in the bed and they showed the title. I love when they show what characters are reading on TV shows because it makes things seem realistic. This is a sure change from the contemporary fiction that I have been reading lately as this book is set in the period of 1930s to 1950s. We'll see.....

This book blew my mind. It was truly a glimpse into a lifestyle you rarely get this many details about. I love the idea of fleshing out what happens to a group of friends after they graduate from college. This book only went as far as six years post graduation, I would have loved to find out where they all were twenty years after. The really insightful and best part of the book is the period it is set in, when women went to college and very few went on to careers outside of the home. Almost all of the women in the group got married, to varying degrees of success.

At first I was worried there were too many characters with too many similar names (Libby, Lakey, etc), but I eventually got in the groove and couldn't put it down! When reading the part that describes (in detail!) Dottie's first time, I found myself looking around to make sure no one saw what I was reading, it was so realistic. Almost all of the stories were heartbreaking, especially Kay's and I won't give away the ending. It didn't come to much of a shock. I'm so glad to have discovered a book and author I might never have known about. I'd also like to read her memoir about growing up Catholic, because I could likely relate to that too.

The only thing I wish there was more of was Lakey's story. She appeared at the very end, but the tidbit left me wanting more.

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This Cracked Me Up!

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis from Between Two Ferns

I am late on the Zach Galifianakis train, because I didn't see the summer blockbuster 'The Hangover.' I only got introduced to him by watching one of favorite new shows on HBO 'Bored to Death,' where his scenes were often the funniest of the episodes. This is apparently a running joke on the Funny or Die website, so I'll be looking for the other ones. I also always love Conan, he's game for things that make people uncomfortable.

Starting The Group

The Group by Mary McCarthy



I had never even heard of this book but it was briefly featured on an episode of 'Mad Men.' The character Betty Draper was reading this in the bed and they showed the title. I love when they choose to show what characters are reading on shows because it makes things seem realistic. This is a sure change from the contemporary fiction that I have been reading lately as this book is set in the period of 1930s to 1950s. We'll see.....

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Opening line: "It was June, 1933, one week after Commencement, when Kay Leiland Strong, Vassar '33, the first of her class to run around the table at the Class Day dinner, was married to Harald Petersen, Reed '27, in the chapel of St. George's Church, P.E., Karl F. Reiland, Rector."

A Happy Marriage

A Happy Marriage: A Novel by Rafael Yglesias


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book touched my heart. It's not technically a memoir but I put it on the memoir bookshelf because the author has been open in all of his interviews in noting that it is autobiographical and based on him and his late wife's relationship. I also read Joan Didion's ‘Year of Magical Thinking,’ which was a beautiful elegy for her husband, but I don’t think you can compare ‘A Happy Marriage’ with that book. Somehow I feel like I really came to know the author and his wife over the course of the novel. They both deal perfectly with describing the loss of a beloved spouse.

This book somehow touched me even more by describing when the couple first met and their first time. It alternated chapters from when they first met to the last days of the wife’s life. I really can’t do a sufficient job describing the book because it is so beautifully written but I highly recommend it.

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Entertainment Weekly gave it an A- in this review.
Here is the NY Times review.

Best Season Finale Ever

I can't believe we have to wait another 6-7 months for Season 4 of the absolutely perfect 'Mad Men.'

Finished Her Fearful Symmetry

Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was unusual right from the beginning. I have never heard of mirror image twins before, and I don’t know if they actually exist but the idea of two people coming out that way is disconcerting. Audrey Niffenegger did a great job as always of describing almost every nuance of each character’s life, even the ghost Elspeth/Edie. The beginning of the novel gives no foreshadowing of what eventually happens, and I was unsettled to say the least. I don’t want to give anything away, but I just could not come to terms with what happens at the denouement of this gripping book. It pains me to know that the only characters who end up happy are Martin and Marijke. Even though I wasn’t thrilled with how everything played out, I still think this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars just because of Audrey Niffenegger’s ability to write really compelling characters. I think the EW review (which was a C+) was a little harsh; I would give this book a straight B grade. There is absolutely no comparison to her prior work, ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife,’ which I LOVED. I think she still did a great job telling another completely unique story.

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Here is the EW review.

Get Well Blanche

After September 11th, TV was gut-wrenching and horrible to watch because every channel was showing the towers falling over and over again. I remember being glued to the television and in tears for almost all of my waking hours. When I finally emerged from the gloom of that time, the Lifetime network was the only channel showing something other than the tragedy. They played episodes of the Golden Girls non-stop and I became addicted.

I could not get enough of those four ladies, and they will always hold a special place in my heart. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Bea Arthur as Dorothy, who can inspire a belly laugh with just a look. Bea Arthur passed away earlier this year, and Estelle Getty who played Sophia has also passed on. This only leaves Betty White (Rose) and Rue McClanahan (Blanche). Betty White is still acting and actually had a guest appearance on '30 Rock' last week, in a hilarious scene. This latest news about Rue McClanahan is what my post title is about.

Lifetime doesn't show the show as often anymore, and I think the rights may have been bought by the Hallmark channel. I don't watch it every day like I used to, but I would never turn off an episode of the show as I have never come across one I didn't like. A truly, great timeless show that gets better with age.

Huh?

My favorite awards show and the reason I love awards show season has announced the hosts. The upcoming Academy Awards will be co-hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. If you are anything like me, you are have a huge question mark floating over your head. With an exclamation point.

Come on now, Oscars! They have different producers this year and I was hoping for a fresh unique choice, like Wanda Sykes (OK, she's probably a little too controversial for the telecast, but who cares?). Instead, they went with two mildly likable guys who I personally think are boring choices.

For one thing, I don't like the idea of co-hosts. This is a one person job, otherwise there will be too much mugging from one or both with each person trying to upstage the other, consciously or not. I have to say I'm disappointed, but maybe they'll blow my mind. Neil Patrick Harris was so spot-on for the Emmy telecast, I just can't see these two guys pulling it off to even compare. The last time they both hosted SNL (individually), I was underwhelmed. I do enjoy Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock, though.

I read this scoop at EW.com, of course.

Starting Her Fearful Symmetry

Here is the author talking a little bit about the title and her writing process, which I found to be very interesting. I loved her other book 'The Time Traveler's Wife' so I can't wait to see what she did with this one.

Opening line: "Elspeth died while Robert was standing in front of a vending machine watching tea shoot into a small plastic cup."

Bolt and Little Bolt

I thought this was a great Picture of the Day on one of my regular websites. Usain Bolt, world-record holder in almost every short speed track event holding a baby cheetah cub that he named Lightning Bolt. Two really fast creatures, really nice photo.

Western Skies

Western Skies by Nora Roberts


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I bought this one when I bought Bed of Roses and I quickly devoured it as well. These are re-prints of two of her older stories, so they lack the punch she currently writes with. Still enjoyable, though.

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Bed of Roses

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Sunday than curling up with the latest Nora Roberts. Thankfully, my family let me do just that this past Sunday with minimal distractions. I cannot say enough about Nora Roberts' unique ability to draw a reader in and make you feel like you know fictional characters by page 50. I was even in tears by the end, because I was so happy and touched for Emma and Jack. The only beef I have is that I have to wait 6 MONTHS for the next installmaent in this quartet. May 2010!? Whose idea was that?! I demand an earlier release. Oh, well...I guess I'll have to read less satisfying fare until then. No other romance writer comes close.

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