It's a drizzly, gray Saturday morning. It's not a depressing kind of drizzle, though. It's very peaceful. The perfect day to stay in my pajamas a read all day.
(By the way, I just this morning finished the best book I've ever read. If you want a quick, easy yet deeply profound book, check out The Wet Engine by Brian Doyle. My cousin Peter recommended it. It's my new favorite. Thanks, Pete!)
But I can't have a lazy day. I have lots to do! I have appointments today at two bridal shops to try on dresses. My friend Amber is coming with me, and I'm so glad, because all of my bridesmaids (including all three sisters and my BFF) and my mom are currently in other states. And I can't think of many things I'd like to do alone less than shop for a wedding dress.
I've very thankful for Amber. She's already done SO much to help me plan this wedding! She's done all kinds of research and come up with a long list of ideas.
Unique ideas. Crazy ideas.
Like the other day I told her I had no idea where to start with decorations. She hopped online and soon sent me this ...
It's all in the details! Replace the toilet paper in the bathroom stalls at the reception venue with our stylish Damask Toilet Paper. A beautiful design to further add style and elegance to your wedding day! Available in Black & White, Silver, or Gold.
Oh! And no need to worry about chaffing ...
Our toilet paper is 3 ply and a roll contains 200 sheets.
Wedding planning ... it's all in the details, people.
A while ago I randomly stumbled across this guy Seth's blog. I don't know Seth. But a lot of his posts crack me up. The ones about Madonna are funny. And today's post is also really funny.
I liked reading Dan Brown's books, but Seth's right. He's kind of crazy.
I'm sure by now you've heard of the Twilight Series. It is one of those book series that, similar to the Harry Potter series, came from a virtunally unknown author and rocketed to instant fame when it found it's tipping point.
Stephenie Meyer sold 22 million books in 2008! That's more than any other author. So obviously, I had to jump on the bandwagon to see what all the fuss was about.
I got on the waiting list at the library for Twilight knowing little about the book. All I knew was that it was a teen romance involving a vampire. I'm not really much of a fan of science fiction, so obviously I was very skeptical.
Well guess what?
I couldn't put it down. Literally. I took it with me everywhere. I read it while waiting for my carpool buddy. I ready it while I was on the roller beds at the chiropractor's office. I read it on my breaks at work. I read it in the mornings and late into the night.
Here's the weird thing. It's not that great. The writing is very simplistic. The story plays out like a teen drama on the CW. It's fluff. Plus, if I try to reason logically through the story, it makes no sense.
So what's the deal? I obviously got sucked into the story. Shallow writing or not, I had to know what happened. There were moments while I was reading it that I actually felt silly, caring about something so ridiculously implausible as a vampire. And yet, I still found myself enjoying it. This review on Amazon summed my thoughts up well ...
Rather than feeling as though I were trudging through a heavy piece of fantasy fiction, I was able to let my mind relax and float into the story as if I were watching some strangely intoxicating reality show about a clumsy teenage girl and a thoroughly confused vampire. In the end, despite their flaws and not fully understanding their logic or reasoning, I even enjoyed the characters Meyer created.
This is a novel you should pick up when you just want to shut off your brain for a little while and escape reality. Basically, you shouldn't try to read this novel with too serious an eye.
Exactly.
There were certainly moments when I got more than a little creeped out. One night, while I was standing in the kitchen reading a very suspenseful scene (the baseball scene, for those who have read it) someone opened the front door and I almost jumped out of my skin.
Reading the last few chapters, I was totally engrossed. The ending is great. Even though it won't win any Oscars, I do, in fact, want to watch the movie. I've put the trailer for you below.
Oh, and for those of you who are fans, did you know that Stephenie Meyer has written the story from Edward's perspective? You can read it on her web site.
So now I'm on the library's waiting list for New Moon, the next book in four-book series. As my brother pointed out, some would consider reading fluff like this a waste of time. But then, isn't that all fiction? It's entertainment, pure and simple, and to that end, it fulfilled it's purpose. I was entertained.
Blue Like Jazz is one of my favorite books. While perusing Don Miller's web site yesterday I ran across some interesting news ...
Apparently they are making a movie based on the book. It was filmed earlier this year and should be released soon.
I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of Blue Like Jazz as a movie, but I do know I'm excited about this little tidbit ...
Here's what his site says about his next book:
Don’s next book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years humorously and tenderly chronicles Don’s experience with filmmakers as they edit his life for the screen, hoping to make it less boring. He then shares the principles storytellers use to make a story meaningful and exciting, exploring their affect when he applies those principles to his actual life.
Of his new book, Don says: “It might be the greatest book ever written. I don’t think anybody is going to read a book again after they read my new one. I think God is proud of me. I am going to make a killing off this thing and I’m going to use the money to go to space."
I love reading. I've loved it for as long as I can remember. Maybe it comes from growing up in a house without a TV. I don't know. But I tend to get addicted to reading.
One of the things I love about being in the "real" world [read: not in school] is that I can read whatever I want. I visit the library about once a week. Heck, I even have my library card number memorized!
I always enjoy book lists and saw a Top 100 list on a friend's blog. Apparently this list is from the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program. I've only read 16. Out of 100. Yikes.
However, none of my favorite books are on the list. So I'm thinking I need to create my own Top 100 list. I need your help. I've started a list below. These books are my favorite ... they aren't necessarily classics or best sellers. Just Becky's picks. Here's 10 to kick the list off.
1. Marley and Me - John Grogan 2. Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer 3. The Testament - John Grisham (what is it with Johns?) 4. A Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks 5. The Mark of the Lion Series - Francine Rivers 6. Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller 7. What's So Amazing About Grace - Phillip Yancey 8. The Kindness of Strangers - Katrina Kittle 9. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult 10. Peace Like a River - Leif Enger (the following were inspired by your comments) 11. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini 12. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruden 13. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver 14. A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving 15. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers 16. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery What is, hands down, the BEST book you've ever read? And why?
I've been pretty sad all day about Heath Ledger. Really, it's weird how much his death has affected me. BUT. I received some happy news today ... John Grisham has a new book! This one is available January 29th. It's another lawyer novel. You can read the first chapter here.
Grisham is my favorite author. I've read every book he's written. Here are my top three favorites:
I literally cannot put his books down until I finish them. (Tim, I think I might be feeling a touch of the flu coming on. It will probably hit sometime in the middle of next week.) There are very few authors whose writing captivates me like Grisham's does. Plus, they make pretty good movies.
I know what you are thinking. You need a sign. What better one could I give but to make this little one whole and new? I could do it; but I will not. I am the Lord and not a conjurer. I gave this mite a gift I denied to all of you - eternal innocence. To you she looks imperfect - but to me she is flawless, like the bud that dies unopened or the fledgling that falls from the nest to be devoured by ants. She will never offend me, as all of you have done. She will never pervert or destroy the work of my Father's hands. She is necessary to you. She will evoke the kindness that will keep you human. Her infirmity will prompt you to gratitiude for your own good fortune ... More! She will remind you every day that I am who I am, that my ways are not yours, and that the smallest dust mite whirled in the darkest spaces does not fall out of my hand ... I have chosen you. You have not chosen me. This little one is my sign to you. Treasure her!
I'm in the middle of reading the book The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman.
I put my name on the waiting list for it at the public library after I saw the preview for the movie several months ago, back before any of the controversy. When I started getting email warnings forwarded to me about the movie and heard about all the Christians that were getting t.o.'d about the subject of the book and certain statements the author made, it made me want to read it even more.
I'm only a few chapters into it, but already I've found so many blatant similarities to C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that I honestly can't believe that Pullman ever got this published! Check this out:
1. In Lewis' book, the main character is a young, adventurous girl named named Lucy. In Pullman's book, the main character is a young, adventurous girl named Lyra.
2. While set in England, the majority of Lewis' book takes place in Narnia, a cold, harsh wintery landscape. While set in England, the majority of the Golden Compass is set in what's simply called The North, a cold, harsh wintery landscape.
3. In the first chapter of Lewis' book, Lucy hides in a wardrobe. In the first chapter of Pullman's book, Lyra hides in a wardrobe.
4. In Lewis' book, the main antagonist is the White Witch, a beauiful, exotic, yet terrifying woman. In Pullman's book, the main antagonist is Mrs. Coulter, a beautiful, exotic, yet terrifying woman.
5. In Lewis' book, Edmund meets the White Witch and is both scared and intrigued by her. She convinces him to go with her by offering him Turkish Delight. In Pullman's book, Tony meets Mrs. Coulter and is both scared and intrigued by her. She convinces him to go with her by offering him Chocolatl.
Coincidence? I think not. And that's after only five chapters.
As my friend Suzanne so astutely pointed out the other day when I was telling her about this, isn't that always how the devil works? He can't even come up with his own original material. He takes truth and twists it just enough to serve his own purposes.
In 1950, C.S. Lewis was inspired to write a fantastic piece of fiction that told the story of the gift that God gave us in his Son.
45 years later, Philip Pullman took that story and twisted it for his own atheistic agenda. In Pullman's words, "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."
Undermine all you want, Mr. Pullman, but do it with your own story. Don't steal someone else's.
I just finished reading a book unlike any other book I've ever read.
The Shack by William P. Young. It just came out in bookstores on September 1. Here is the web site. But I'm telling you, the web site doesn't do it justice. Even though it's a fiction book, I have never understood God the way I did after reading it.
Seriously, you need to read this book. I promise you, you will NOT be disappointed. (Even you, Carolyn.)
After you buy it (because you WILL want to own it) and read it (you'll probably finish it in a night) come back and post your thoughts. I'll be waiting ...
YAAAAAY! John Grisham is writing another book, out September 24. He's my favorite author.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
So check it out. I may be behind the cyber-trend a little bit, but yesterday I came across the BEST web site I've seen in a long time! It's called Shelfari ... an "interactive social media site for book lovers." As if I needed to belong to another online community (read: the Black Hole of my leisure time.)
Basically, you can form an online community of friends who love books and share reading recommendations, list and rate books you've read, have discussions ... the opportunities are virtually limitless!
I just built my shelf. The books you see above are on my Top 10 list.
I am inviting all of you, my blog friends, to join me in this community. Create a profile and then request me as a friend so we can share in some book-lovin.
It's a drizzly, gray Saturday morning. It's not a depressing kind of drizzle, though. It's very peaceful. The perfect day to stay in my pajamas a read all day.
