rose_griffes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rose_griffes) wrote2011-11-27 08:58 am
rose_griffes) wrote2011-11-27 08:58 am
Thanksgiving holidays (books and a movie)
Spent time with family over the holidays. Alas, my s-i-l had already seen Breaking Dawn, part I, so I haven't watched that yet.
I did see the new Muppet movie and it was quite delightful. I've had that song about "Am I a man or am I a Muppet?" stuck in my head for days now. Hee! It was distracting to recognize that distinct "Flight of the Conchords" style of music, although really FotC and Muppets have a lot of comedy style in common. Anyway, MUPPETS! I had fun.
My three-year-old niece said, "Wow!" during the preview for the Tintin movie. I'm not sure how I feel about it; I don't particularly like Tintin and the movie will be much like the books, with hardly any female characters. On the other hand, it looks sort of ridiculously fun, and I do love ridiculous fun stuff.
I read books over the holidays. Even though I enjoy science fiction, I've never viewed myself as a devotee who must read every sci-fi author; I had never read anything by Octavia Butler. I'm glad DB made a post about Parable of the Sower, because I might not have picked it up otherwise. Lauren Olamina is a fascinating character. She reminds me of Laura Roslin in some ways: drawn to religion, introspective, reluctantly willing to make unpleasant choices.
I'm amazed at how much resonance a book written in 1993 had in terms of the dystopian American society it presented. It's still a plausible (and haunting) possible future.
I want to read something else by Butler soon. Not sure which book yet.
I was in the mood for whimsy last time I was at the library, so I picked up two of Pratchett's Discworld series. Lords and Ladies has Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg as well as Magrat. I loved Magrat's reaction to finding Ynci's painting, and how that motivates her. Granny Weatherwax had some wonderful character development. Hm... I'm not sure what else to say, other than yay!
Unseen Academicals centers aroundsoccer football? rugby. Well, really around the people who love team sports (and hate it) and mob mentality and the complicated rules of socio-economic status. Basically it's another of Pratchett's broad canvases. I still struggle with the wizards; they're not my favorite characters and I often get them confused. That didn't prevent me from enjoying the book. Glenda Sugarbean was my favorite of the new characters.
Unlike most of Pratchett's Discworld novels, both of these are fairly dependent on having some knowledge of the characters and setting. So if you're wondering if you'd like Pratchett's work, start almost anywhere else. (Actually I'd say start with his YA books with the witch Tiffany Aching, because I think they're brilliant. Or Monstrous Regiment, which was one of my first reads and which works really well as a stand-alone. Of course, it's also one of the best ever, so you'll be going down somewhat in quality, but a low-quality Pratchett is better than a lot of other books.)
I also spent some time immersed in my Yuletide assignment. I'm still undecided about which direction to go with a story. Still November, so I have time to make up my mind before the panicked frenzy begins.
I did see the new Muppet movie and it was quite delightful. I've had that song about "Am I a man or am I a Muppet?" stuck in my head for days now. Hee! It was distracting to recognize that distinct "Flight of the Conchords" style of music, although really FotC and Muppets have a lot of comedy style in common. Anyway, MUPPETS! I had fun.
My three-year-old niece said, "Wow!" during the preview for the Tintin movie. I'm not sure how I feel about it; I don't particularly like Tintin and the movie will be much like the books, with hardly any female characters. On the other hand, it looks sort of ridiculously fun, and I do love ridiculous fun stuff.
I read books over the holidays. Even though I enjoy science fiction, I've never viewed myself as a devotee who must read every sci-fi author; I had never read anything by Octavia Butler. I'm glad DB made a post about Parable of the Sower, because I might not have picked it up otherwise. Lauren Olamina is a fascinating character. She reminds me of Laura Roslin in some ways: drawn to religion, introspective, reluctantly willing to make unpleasant choices.
I'm amazed at how much resonance a book written in 1993 had in terms of the dystopian American society it presented. It's still a plausible (and haunting) possible future.
I want to read something else by Butler soon. Not sure which book yet.
I was in the mood for whimsy last time I was at the library, so I picked up two of Pratchett's Discworld series. Lords and Ladies has Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg as well as Magrat. I loved Magrat's reaction to finding Ynci's painting, and how that motivates her. Granny Weatherwax had some wonderful character development. Hm... I'm not sure what else to say, other than yay!
Unseen Academicals centers around
Unlike most of Pratchett's Discworld novels, both of these are fairly dependent on having some knowledge of the characters and setting. So if you're wondering if you'd like Pratchett's work, start almost anywhere else. (Actually I'd say start with his YA books with the witch Tiffany Aching, because I think they're brilliant. Or Monstrous Regiment, which was one of my first reads and which works really well as a stand-alone. Of course, it's also one of the best ever, so you'll be going down somewhat in quality, but a low-quality Pratchett is better than a lot of other books.)
I also spent some time immersed in my Yuletide assignment. I'm still undecided about which direction to go with a story. Still November, so I have time to make up my mind before the panicked frenzy begins.
no subject
I'm amazed at how much resonance a book written in 1993 had in terms of the dystopian American society it presented. It's still a plausible (and haunting) possible future.
I've been wanting to reread Parable of the Sower but I'm scared of how unsettling it will be. :/
no subject
I've been wanting to reread Parable of the Sower but I'm scared of how unsettling it will be. :/
Very unsettling. *meep*
no subject
And I have totally struggled with that recommend a book by an author and not wanting to necessarily start someone off with what I consider to be their masterwork. There is this progression sometimes that makes discovering an author more thrilling.
So...are you a muppet?
no subject
I have totally struggled with that recommend a book by an author and not wanting to necessarily start someone off with what I consider to be their masterwork.
I know! So frustrating to know what to do.