On the edge

You know how people say that a behavior becomes a problem once you start hiding it from others? Well, I may have finally reached that point with books.

I've been looking for jobs since graduation (no such luck, but if you're hiring, let me know!) and went to the library. I did have books to pick up as well, but I ended up with quite a few extras. Since I'm currently reading around 4 books and just got 2 (oh wait, just got another one for review, so 3) books in the mail, I decided that maybe my family shouldn't see all the books I got at the library. They are hidden (albeit not very well, but putting them on an already out-of-control pile of books is pretty decent camouflage, right?), and now I have to wonder about my book addiction.

Well, at least it doesn't cause me bodily harm (except some achy arm/hand muscles from holding lots of books) or risk my life. Also, when I get them from the library, I'm not spending exorbitant amounts of money.

OK. I just talked myself into denial of my "problem." We're good.

A Room-y Review

I just finished Room by Emma Donoghue. When I started reading it, the word ‘creepy’ most frequently came to mind. Room is a terrific book, but it’s also incredibly unsettling at times. Given the general storyline, that isn’t especially surprising, but that doesn’t necessarily change anything.

Room is the story of Jack and Ma who live together in an 11 x 11 foot room. For Jack, Room is all he knows — his entire world — and everything else is just TV, not real. Only he and Ma and Old Nick, the ‘ogre’ who comes in the night to take the trash and bring the groceries, are real. Then Jack turns five and learns that things Outside are “real for real” and that there’s a whole world outside of Room.

As I mentioned, it’s incredibly unsettling at times. Even so, Room is a great read. Maybe just not when you’re in the mood for something light and fun.

I finally finished Mrs. Dalloway and am still working my way through all the Harry Potter books (again). I just started Room by Emma Donoghue. I don't really know what to think at this point. I'm not very far along, but once I'm finished, I'll write a real review.

In other exciting news, I went to my elementary school reunion the other day. It was painfully awkward. I'm definitely OK with waiting another 10 years before doing that again. I did, however, reconnect with two friends, so we'll probably do something in the near future. Small victories.

I'm currently in the midst of some sort of educational existential crisis. Grad school and finding a job are battling each other as I sit here freaking out that I don't have anything to do. It's like I'm in withdrawal. Well, I'll figure it out eventually. I have a list of a bunch of people I need to call tomorrow. I had it all planned out to start making calls today, but I forgot about the holiday, so now I get to sit here all jittery for another day. I'll be OK. I just have to breathe.

Review of Hassie Calhoun: A Las Vegas Novel of Innocence

I finished this book the other day, and now I'm finally getting a chance to post a review. So, without further ado Hassie Calhoun: A Las Vegas Novel of Innocence by Pamela Cory:

Hassie Calhoun comes out June 1, just in time for summer vacation. Keep in mind, this is all coming from someone who brings The Aeneid to the beach, but I think this is the type of book people are talking about when they mention a "beach read." Personally, I have very little patience when it comes to books like this. The plot was circular and most of the characters hair-pullingly stagnant and just plain unbearable. I hated the characters. Truly hated them. In my opinion, they all need to wake up and get a life (get lives? I don't mean one collective life). This book is apparently the first in a series though, so maybe that comes later? I just felt like as much as the narrative tried to move on, the focus remained constant. There were places or characters that would have made the book much more interesting had they been elaborated upon, but instead they were just sort of side notes — mentioned when it was convenient and then forgotten.

In the end, Hassie Calhoun just isn't my style. Given a choice, it isn't what I would pick to read. That being said, there's tons of drama and a peek (which makes up with style what it lacks in exactitude) at Sin City during the hey day of Sinatra and the Rat Pack. It's a good-sized book, but you can get through it quickly. I didn't like it that much, but who's to say it won't suit others as a fun beach read? Not I, said the chicken.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you realize that you read a book and then completely forgot that you did so. Like... within a day?

So I read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, which was a really great read. It had everything I look for in a book: a great story, humor, and conflict. Even more, it's really... real. She doesn't hold anything back, and that makes the book that much better. 

Anyway, it turns out I'd put it on my challenge list and then completely forgotten about it. Now it's crossed off though, so there you go!

I finished Hassie Calhoun and have the review written, but not near me at the moment. I will post it soon.

Catching up

So it's been about a century since I've updated. In my defense, I had my thesis, finals, and graduation to deal with. Now that's all over and I'm home and avoiding unpacking. I can't get away with that much longer though, so I'll have to just suck it up and do it. The main problem is that there isn't really anywhere to put all of the stuff, even after I have it organized.

Since my last post, I've finished a few books: The Eyre Affair, Zel, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, and The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. I pretty much enjoyed all of them.

For whatever reason, it took me quite a long time to finish The Eyre Affair. I had some trouble getting into it at first, but it eventually caught and held my interest. It's essentially a mystery that takes place in an alternate universe where literature is a big deal. I don't think I'd mind living there. Anyway, The Eyre Affair is actually the first in a series of Thursday Next books. Even though I enjoyed it, I don't see myself continuing with the series. I could be wrong, though. It has been known to happen.

Zel is an alternative telling of the story of Rapunzel. It's short YA, but a great read. A lot of YA can't really hold my attention, but that was certainly not an issue with Zel.

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a retelling of Cinderella (anyone seeing a pattern here?) by Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, Son of a Witch, etc. Again, it was an enjoyable read, but I'm not sure I have that much more to say about it.

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel isn't exactly a retelling of the traditional story, but it takes its cues from it. It is actually a story of two children managing to survive in Poland during WWII. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that it's an intriguing story and I highly recommend it.

And with that, I take my leave. I should be posting another book review in the near future, but right now, Jeopardy is on!

So there's this man named Dylan Moran. And he's a comedian. And he's in this show called Black Books. My friend may have introduced me to Dylan Moran and Black Books. Now I do nothing but watch his stand-up and episodes of Black Books and it's ALL HER FAULT.

You must waste inordinate amounts of time with me.

Do you read? I do. Do you want to do that in the same room sometime?
 - Bernard Black

That ^ is quite possible the best pickup line ever. Just saying.

So I've been sitting in the library looking at http://dailydoseofdylanmoran.tumblr.com/ instead of doing anything productive with  my life and laughing quietly to myself like the lunatic we all expect me to be. Also, all the pictures/quotes above are courtesy of the aforementioned site that has eaten my soul.

In conclusion, don't let your friends introduce you to hilarity. It will eat your soul.

Basically, when it comes down to it, I see my future in Black Books.... except I'm not an angry Irish man. So there are flaws in my plans for the future, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

In all seriousness, exciting future news: I got in to my publishing studies program! Of course it's in England and expensive and there's very little funding for graduate schools overseas. Figures. So if anyone wants to start up a fund for sending me to England, go right ahead, I'm all for that plan.

I'm going to return to looking at this blog and laughing quietly to myself.