Aside from reading about 10 college catalogs (one of them three times), I mostly just read one book. Here it is:
Eva Moves the Furniture by Margo Livesey. (4.5 stars) 10lees was right. This book is, frankly, amazing. It's very girly, so be warned, guys. It's the story of one woman's life, starting from her childhood. It outlines the choices she made based on two "companions" that only she can see. Who/What they are is the speculation of the novel. It delves deeply into the subjects of greif and loss and death, with an element of the supernatural thrown in, which is probably why I found it so powerful and moving. On the whole, I heartily recommend it.
That's it for books, kids.
If it's TV you are wondering about, there I can help you.
First, I do not recommend Deadwood, Season One. I realize that I am in the vast minority on this point, but I frankly just don't like it. This is not because I am a sissy. Those who know me know that I swear like a sailor and love it, and while I do not like real violence, TV violence holds little horror for me. Mostly, the only thing I don't like is horror/scarey movies. Otherwise, bring it on. Yet, Deadwood disturbs me. I find it disturbing. I feel that the characters the show focuses on are vile and repulsive. I find myself struggling to find a character to cheer for. By the third or fourth disc, I found that I'd become so used to the cruelty that I was shocked and surprised by the smallest of gestures the main vile character, Al, makes. Every other word out of someone's mouth is either sexually explicit or a swear word or both. The main plot focuses on an ex-lawman and his arrival in Deadwood, SD, which has troubles of its own. The town is run by Al Swearengen, the owner of the Gem Saloon, who is by turns enthused and worried by the town's status and its possible annexation to the territories. It's mostly about corruption and murder and gold and death in the wild west. I know that most shows wax nostolgic about the cowboy era, but I feel that perhaps this goes too far the other way. On the other hand, I am tempted to watch the rest because now I am curious, but I'm not sure I can stomach it. Do with that what you will.
I love Arrested Development. This is a beautiful little piece of satire. It's all about Michael Bluth and what lengths he will go to, to keep his family together. Why is the family in danger of being torn apart? Well, because his entire family is selfish and crazy, and his dad has been thrown into prison for dipping into company funds and also, perhaps "some light treason." The show only gets better as it goes. It's narrated by Ron Howard, who is fantastic. My favorite lines happen when someone says something like, "I haven't seen them and the narrator comes on with "Yes, he had." It's not afraid to make fun of itself, which I enjoy, and it's full of over-the-top characters and situations. Perfect for a hot summer evening after a long day at work.
That's all I know for now. Happy reading/watching. Feel free to share your own in the comments.
Posted by LoWriter at July 3, 2007 05:17 PMok, i'm totally lame. i dont remember if i've read a book in june or not...
... ok, i just checked. no, i didnt finish a book in june. lame.
i'll comment on lo's selections though! i would like to read the Eva book at some point. it's been on my short list for a while, since 10lees suggested it.
arrested development is fabulous. i was one of the mourners when they intentionally sabotaged it's demise (it was very firefly-like).
deadwood - interesting thoughts, lo. i actually felt the same way about the sopranos when it first came out. but a few seasons into the show, i ended up watching episodes en masse and changed my mind. not sure if i'd enjoy deadwood, or have the same experience w/ it as i did sopranos, but i'd give it a shot since so many folks are fans.
other note - hbo shows are fabulous. the new season of curb your enthusiasm (a mix of seinfeld & arrested development) starts this fall. i've recently been introduced to Flight of the Conchords, which is a great spoof - it follows a "band" that consists of two guys from new zealand. it's a mix of stupid plot and stupid songs. stupid enough to be funny. and Entourage is not that bad. it's a bit pretentious as it's about hollywood and it's only a half hour show, but it's got eye candy appeal.
hm... have i done anything else cultural in june? not really. i did go for a very long bike ride. does that count?
Posted by: dr gonzo at July 4, 2007 11:30 AMYes, HBO has some quality stuff. I don't know if I can stomach several seasons of Deadwood. I put the next two in my queue, but I find I have less stomach for everything after watching it. I've heard that about Sopranos, too.
Posted by: Lo at July 5, 2007 08:48 AMWooHoo! I am glad you liked Eva, I think that dr g would really like it too. As I talked with you about the end of the novel, which made me cry while on public transit but was so engaging I could put it down, it is just so genuine. It's not a cheap book that engages in cheap tricks to make you cry, but one that really really moves you.
I read all the Harry Potters, I am pretty sure we all know my thoughts, bring on number 7 (and make it better than 6, geesh)
Also, I read Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron, granted it is a self help book and gets kinda boring in places, but I guess I'm not really reading it for the excitment. I did find myself skipping to the case studies, but I will be re-reading and doing all the exercises in the coming months.
Actually I ended up having to quit watching Sopranos because of the violence, and I had to quit watching Alias around that same time though I did start watching that again. But I couldn't deal with the constant violence and swearing. So I will take your advice and stay away from Deadwood, however I did like Rome and that was pretty violent. Arrested Development is good, but I never was able to sit down and watch it. I record most of my comedies, because they aren't a 'must watch'.
Posted by: 10lees at July 5, 2007 11:20 PM