So I picked this up completely based on the title. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is one of my favorite casting jobs ever. It was the first role I remember seeing him in, and it...was...awesome. My love for Colin Firth aside, his inclusion in the book Finding Colin Firth by Mia March at all seemed superfluous. Including an actor in her books seem to be her "hook;" another title by her, which I haven't read, is The Meryl Streep Movie Club.
Finding Colin Firth is the story of 3 women at crossroads in their lives. Bea, a recent college-grad has just found out she's adopted. Veronica, who gave a baby up more than 20 years ago, is searching for closure and hope. Gemma, a workaholic who has lost her job has just found out she's pregnant. Their stories come together in Boothbay Harbor, ME, where a Colin Firth movie is being filmed. How they navigate all the changes and where it leads them is at the heart of the story. I found most of the characters one-dimensional. The most compelling story was Veronica's; I would have preferred more of her story than Gemma's. I would put this in the "chick lit" category, but it isn't one of my favorite light reads.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
The Astronaut Wives Club
I "sort of" read The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. Having heard the author on NPR and a few of the women on CBS Sunday Morning, I thought this would be a compelling book to read. I'm often interested in reading the woman's story, since often the history we read/learn/hear about is really HIS story. What could have been a great narrative non-fiction was, at times, rather bland. I wish the author would have instilled a greater sense of urgency and tension. It seemed like opportunities for great storytelling was wasted. While I admire the women and their survival under incredibly difficult circumstances, I feel like the story could have been told better.
Three Times Lucky
Just finished reading Three Times Lucky by Shelia Turnage, and liked it a lot. Set in a small town in North Carolina, this is the story of Mo (short for Moses), a girl who washed up on shore during a hurricane and was found by the enigmatic Colonel, proprietor of the local cafe. While looking and writing to her "upstream mother," Mo becomes embroiled in murder, kidnapping, and another hurricane. Luckily for Mo she really is three times lucky.
The main character's spunk, loyalty, ingenuity, and intelligence reminded me of Sammy Keyes, the main character in the Sammy Keyes... mysteries written by Wendelin Van Draanen. Also from a non-traditional home and dealing with quirky best friends (Dale Earnhardt Johnson III) and enemies (Anna Celeste, aka "Attila"), Mo keeps her wits and helps solve the crime.
The main character's spunk, loyalty, ingenuity, and intelligence reminded me of Sammy Keyes, the main character in the Sammy Keyes... mysteries written by Wendelin Van Draanen. Also from a non-traditional home and dealing with quirky best friends (Dale Earnhardt Johnson III) and enemies (Anna Celeste, aka "Attila"), Mo keeps her wits and helps solve the crime.
Continuing on...
I've decided to try and continue using this blog as a way to keep track of books I've read. I'm not sure what form the entries will take -- simple lists with a few appeal factors, book reviews. In all likelihood it will be a combination; it will depend on how strongly I fell about the book.
We'll see how long this lasts...
We'll see how long this lasts...
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Week 9: Book Trailers...and The End
Assignments 1 & 2
I read the articles and looked at some book trailers on YouTube. I was thoroughly underwhelmed and unimpressed. Having watched them after reading the articles, I can say I agree that unless there is a great hook, it looks professional, etc. it isn't useful at all. I didn't find one that made me want to read the book. Frankly I watched a couple for books I had read and they made me rethink my position on the book. Some were too long and had elevator music, others employed bad actors, lighting, and "special" effects to sell the book. It didn't work. Overall I found the experience of watching book trailers to be disappointing.
Assignment 3
Overall I found this process to be interesting and informative. Be More Bookish got me to look at Goodreads more (very helpful going into Summer Reading), learn about Early Word, and think about the incredible number of subgenres I didn't even know existed. Having the opportunity to explore new resources is imperative for a Librarian; having time to do that has been a challenge. One suggestion I might offer is to consider more carefully the amount and type of work assigned per week. I have been perpetually a week behind since, I believe, week 3. The amount of work in some weeks and the fact that we had to comment on others blogs before we could finish our assignment made it challenging to complete in a timely way. Another issue is when this initiative was rolled out. The start coincided with school visists, summer reading gear-up, and many other end-of-school events. I would suggest considering starting in the future during a different time of the year or breaking up some of the assignments. I'm glad to have completed the initiative, and hope there are similar opportunities in the future.
I read the articles and looked at some book trailers on YouTube. I was thoroughly underwhelmed and unimpressed. Having watched them after reading the articles, I can say I agree that unless there is a great hook, it looks professional, etc. it isn't useful at all. I didn't find one that made me want to read the book. Frankly I watched a couple for books I had read and they made me rethink my position on the book. Some were too long and had elevator music, others employed bad actors, lighting, and "special" effects to sell the book. It didn't work. Overall I found the experience of watching book trailers to be disappointing.
Assignment 3
Overall I found this process to be interesting and informative. Be More Bookish got me to look at Goodreads more (very helpful going into Summer Reading), learn about Early Word, and think about the incredible number of subgenres I didn't even know existed. Having the opportunity to explore new resources is imperative for a Librarian; having time to do that has been a challenge. One suggestion I might offer is to consider more carefully the amount and type of work assigned per week. I have been perpetually a week behind since, I believe, week 3. The amount of work in some weeks and the fact that we had to comment on others blogs before we could finish our assignment made it challenging to complete in a timely way. Another issue is when this initiative was rolled out. The start coincided with school visists, summer reading gear-up, and many other end-of-school events. I would suggest considering starting in the future during a different time of the year or breaking up some of the assignments. I'm glad to have completed the initiative, and hope there are similar opportunities in the future.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Week 8: Nonfiction
Assignments 1 & 2
Read the articles and watched the video. I don't go to nonfiction referrals often, even though I've read some of the popular nonfiction titles that were mentioned (e.g., Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). I found the video tutorial particularly useful -- lots of good info packed into a short video.
Assignment 3
I noticed when looking at this assignment that there is a lot of crossover in the genres and location varies. For example, there are memoirs in the Dewey classification for Sports, as well as many in the Biographies. I decided to just state where I would find the title I'd referenced rather than try and cover them all.
Memoirs: can be found in, among other places, Biographies; Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Science: 611, but also 523.49 and other call numbers depending on the subject; Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers by Mary Roach
History: 940.53, etc.; The Girls of Atmoic City: the Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
Sports: 796.357 for baseball, other sports in the same general area; A Pitcher's Story: My Innings With David Cone by David Angell
Assignment 4
Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers by Mary Roach
If you've ever wondered what happened when a cadaver was donated to science, Mary Roach can tell you. In Stiff she writes in (sometimes) excruciating detail on the scientific uses of dead bodies, her interviews with morticians, scientists, and others providing a vivid picture of the often unknown uses for dead bodies. From car-crash testing (the chapter is called "Dead Man Driving") to weapons research to airline disasters, Roach lets no dead stone unturned. She even offers some historical perspective, including how dead bodies helped in the studies of the crucifixion and the guillotine. While her subject might lend itself to the macabre, it is her amusing, off-beat sensibilities which truly make this, and much of her other work so enjoyable and accessible for those of us that don't love science. This darkly funny, thoughtful, engaging book might appeal to anyone who appreciates a good laugh a la David Sedaris. Good for older teens, too.
A Pitcher's Story: My Innings With David Cone by David Angell
When master baseball chronicler Roger Angell decided to follow David Cone through his 2000 season with the NY Yankees, he expected an “inside look at a wizardly old master at his late last best.” Instead what he found was a “Merlin falling headlong down the palace stairs.” Despite his perfect game, five World Series rings, and Cy Young award, Cone was in the midst of his most difficult season. A victim of age, injury, and bad luck, Cone speaks honestly about his past triumphs and current failures. Meanwhile, Angell gives the reader an inside look at the dugouts, players and scandals of Major League Baseball through the eyes of one of its most poised, intelligent and respected players. An enjoyable read for any baseball lover, including any teens, who like a character-driven, contemplative narrative.
Read the articles and watched the video. I don't go to nonfiction referrals often, even though I've read some of the popular nonfiction titles that were mentioned (e.g., Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). I found the video tutorial particularly useful -- lots of good info packed into a short video.
Assignment 3
I noticed when looking at this assignment that there is a lot of crossover in the genres and location varies. For example, there are memoirs in the Dewey classification for Sports, as well as many in the Biographies. I decided to just state where I would find the title I'd referenced rather than try and cover them all.
Memoirs: can be found in, among other places, Biographies; Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Science: 611, but also 523.49 and other call numbers depending on the subject; Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers by Mary Roach
History: 940.53, etc.; The Girls of Atmoic City: the Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
Sports: 796.357 for baseball, other sports in the same general area; A Pitcher's Story: My Innings With David Cone by David Angell
Assignment 4
Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers by Mary Roach
If you've ever wondered what happened when a cadaver was donated to science, Mary Roach can tell you. In Stiff she writes in (sometimes) excruciating detail on the scientific uses of dead bodies, her interviews with morticians, scientists, and others providing a vivid picture of the often unknown uses for dead bodies. From car-crash testing (the chapter is called "Dead Man Driving") to weapons research to airline disasters, Roach lets no dead stone unturned. She even offers some historical perspective, including how dead bodies helped in the studies of the crucifixion and the guillotine. While her subject might lend itself to the macabre, it is her amusing, off-beat sensibilities which truly make this, and much of her other work so enjoyable and accessible for those of us that don't love science. This darkly funny, thoughtful, engaging book might appeal to anyone who appreciates a good laugh a la David Sedaris. Good for older teens, too.
A Pitcher's Story: My Innings With David Cone by David Angell
When master baseball chronicler Roger Angell decided to follow David Cone through his 2000 season with the NY Yankees, he expected an “inside look at a wizardly old master at his late last best.” Instead what he found was a “Merlin falling headlong down the palace stairs.” Despite his perfect game, five World Series rings, and Cy Young award, Cone was in the midst of his most difficult season. A victim of age, injury, and bad luck, Cone speaks honestly about his past triumphs and current failures. Meanwhile, Angell gives the reader an inside look at the dugouts, players and scandals of Major League Baseball through the eyes of one of its most poised, intelligent and respected players. An enjoyable read for any baseball lover, including any teens, who like a character-driven, contemplative narrative.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Week 7: Teen Books for Adults
Assignment 1: Great chart from Lawrence PL. Found some books I've read and some new ones to add to the stack. It's always helpful to have Hunger Game read-alikes.
Assignment 2: I chose the first article, New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre?, because I wanted to know how the category "New Adult" was being used. As of the date of this article, according to PW most retailers hadn't heard of the term, with one saying the term "will be perceived as lame." The use of "New Adult" seems to be about marketing, so the Readers' Advisory implications are clear. I haven't had anybody come up and ask me about "New Adult" books, but I have had younger adults asking for book recommendations where titles of this subgenre may have been useful. The most interesting point made in the article to me was made by an editor who said that "New Adult" fills a hole in the romance genre, noting several self-published titles that he cites as "New Adult." I'm of the opinion that there is a readership for "New Adult" books, but it's the name that might be off-putting to some people.
The second article I read was The Next Big Thing. I was curious what the author would cite as reasons adults are reading teen books, besides "the obvious fact that YA books are amazingly entertaining, and full of awesome." Of the many that were listed (e.g., adults have favorite teen authors; savvy marketing), there were two that stood out to me. The increasing number of bestselling adult authors now writing YA fiction, like Grisham, Patterson, and Picoult, are bringing a new audience to the books. This is an opportunity for adult readers to connect with other Teen fiction. The author clearly believes (and I agree) that pop culture has had a huge influence on adults reading YA books. She cites TV shows like The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Downton Abbey, Pretty Little Liars, etc., as influencing adults reading in Teen Fiction. From personal experience I can say that's true. Adults watch movies/TV shows with teen protagonists, so the crossover to YA fiction isn't surprising. (ETA: I think it's interesting the author uses YA throughout the article. I prefer the use of Teen -- much easier to understand)
I posted comments on Justin H's blog and Cayce H's blog.
Assignment 3: I've decided to follow 2 authors' blogs: John Greene and Shannon Hale. I love John Greene, so it's no surprise that I love his blog. Both seem to be written by the authors themselves, and while Hale's is more centered on her writing, both authors provide opinions on topics of the day as well as some personal info. I liked the combination, though I thought Greene's provided an interesting view into the author's mind.
Assignment 4: After looking at MacMillan's Tor Teen and Teens at Random, I'm struck by the similarity in their forthcoming titles. Lots of dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy, horror titles coming. Looking at these 2 sites I was reminded of something a colleague once said about how all Teen fiction is depressing. I'm not sure that's true, but I do wonder where the dystopian saturation point is. One other thing I noticed at Random House's site was that they offer a couple of newsletters, one of which is all about the Poalini books. Why did this strike me? I didn't realize that he was still publishing the series. Personally I didn't like Eragon and never picked up the others.
Assignment 2: I chose the first article, New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre?, because I wanted to know how the category "New Adult" was being used. As of the date of this article, according to PW most retailers hadn't heard of the term, with one saying the term "will be perceived as lame." The use of "New Adult" seems to be about marketing, so the Readers' Advisory implications are clear. I haven't had anybody come up and ask me about "New Adult" books, but I have had younger adults asking for book recommendations where titles of this subgenre may have been useful. The most interesting point made in the article to me was made by an editor who said that "New Adult" fills a hole in the romance genre, noting several self-published titles that he cites as "New Adult." I'm of the opinion that there is a readership for "New Adult" books, but it's the name that might be off-putting to some people.
The second article I read was The Next Big Thing. I was curious what the author would cite as reasons adults are reading teen books, besides "the obvious fact that YA books are amazingly entertaining, and full of awesome." Of the many that were listed (e.g., adults have favorite teen authors; savvy marketing), there were two that stood out to me. The increasing number of bestselling adult authors now writing YA fiction, like Grisham, Patterson, and Picoult, are bringing a new audience to the books. This is an opportunity for adult readers to connect with other Teen fiction. The author clearly believes (and I agree) that pop culture has had a huge influence on adults reading YA books. She cites TV shows like The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Downton Abbey, Pretty Little Liars, etc., as influencing adults reading in Teen Fiction. From personal experience I can say that's true. Adults watch movies/TV shows with teen protagonists, so the crossover to YA fiction isn't surprising. (ETA: I think it's interesting the author uses YA throughout the article. I prefer the use of Teen -- much easier to understand)
I posted comments on Justin H's blog and Cayce H's blog.
Assignment 3: I've decided to follow 2 authors' blogs: John Greene and Shannon Hale. I love John Greene, so it's no surprise that I love his blog. Both seem to be written by the authors themselves, and while Hale's is more centered on her writing, both authors provide opinions on topics of the day as well as some personal info. I liked the combination, though I thought Greene's provided an interesting view into the author's mind.
Assignment 4: After looking at MacMillan's Tor Teen and Teens at Random, I'm struck by the similarity in their forthcoming titles. Lots of dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy, horror titles coming. Looking at these 2 sites I was reminded of something a colleague once said about how all Teen fiction is depressing. I'm not sure that's true, but I do wonder where the dystopian saturation point is. One other thing I noticed at Random House's site was that they offer a couple of newsletters, one of which is all about the Poalini books. Why did this strike me? I didn't realize that he was still publishing the series. Personally I didn't like Eragon and never picked up the others.
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