But the most encouraging sign is that my nose has been itching for almost 24 hours. It's that, more than anything, that has convinced me that we're finally heading into a warm-ish stretch. Hallelujah.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The nose never lies
Today on my drive home, the sun was in my eyes. I actually had to squint because the sun was so bright. And that's not all: between the puffs of clouds there were definite patches of blue sky.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Breaking free of "the image"
People tend to be amused when they see that Mugglenet is my home page. Especially now, after all the Potter stuff is over. However, it's kind of fun to keep up with what's going on in the Muggle world post-Harry Potter. A few weeks ago, they released a Harry Potter calendar that had special dates like the anniversary of when Harry Potter figured out the egg's clue in the Prefects' bathroom. I am only a little bit ashamed that I seriously considered buying it.
Mostly, though, the site is a stalking machine and reports on anything newsworthy the Potter stars are up to, from Emma Watson being mistaken for a child at the airport to Daniel Radcliffe's success in his latest movie or play.
Over the past few years, there's been a growing frustration--among the trio especially--about breaking free of their iconic Potter roles. They've moved on, but to millions around the world, Dan, Rupert, and Emma are branded into people's minds as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Mugglenet has taken it upon itself to ensure the trio gets plenty of non-HP exposure. Today's headline, "Rupert Grint departs from Ron Weasley image with new thriller film," gushes over the "purposeful departures" Dan, Rupert, and Emma have embarked upon in recent years. It glowingly praised Dan's success in roles that required nudity and was very congratulatory toward Rupert about his new role as a drug addict porn star. As for Emma, well, let me put it in their words: "We also reported on Emma Watson's projects, which are usually wholesome, but soon she will be seen in a role that is as far away from the real Emma as possible when she portrays a real-life criminal in The Bling Ring."
Potter stars aren't the only ones who want to shed their wholesome images. Disney stars like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez have gone through great lengths to convince the world that they're more than just parent-approved role models.
It's tempting to blame the "degradation" of these lost souls on the poison of fame, but fame isn't really the issue here. I think we all want to overcome our own image at some point in our lives, whether that image is "good" or "bad."
When I was growing up, I was the poster child Molly Mormon to a lot of people. In elementary school, I thrived at being the obedient goodie-goodie (at least at school--I'm positive no one will vouch for my angelic nature at home). By middle school, though, I resented the stereotype society had placed me in. It really bugged me when people said things like "Oh, but Angela would never do anything like that," as if I were a plastic cut-out incapable of doing anything more unexpected than tipping over. Inwardly, I would tell these people, "Oh yeah? Well sometimes I sneak out my window at nights without my parents knowing!" just to prove that there was more to me than meets the eye, but of course I never said anything.
My crowning moment of glory came in 6th grade when I was in Mr. Lewis' math class. There was a ban on gum and pens throughout the school, because everyone knows that 12-year-olds can't be trusted with them. No longer Miss Obedient, I chewed gum whenever I pleased, though I was discrete about it. One day, however, I was so engrossed in my math problem that I forgot to monitor my chewing. Mr. Lewis approached my desk solemnly and said, "I never thought I would say this to you, but will you please spit out your gum?"
The entire class broke out into soft titters of shock. As I got up from my seat in the front row, the noise built up around me as my classmates discussed in horror my descent from perfection. I, however, was far from horrified. In fact, I was jubilant that I had knocked myself off the pedestal of Molly Mormonism, and it took all the willpower I had to not break out into a huge grin of triumph. I had finally shown them what I was capable of.
And I haven't changed much. Not really. I still have a difficult time hiding my pleasure when people find out that I have sworn at my car a few times, that I can hold my own in a punching war against my little sister, and that I pretend all the stop signs in Elk Ridge are yield signs.
But what, exactly, is so bad about people thinking you're good? Is is the expectations? Implied lack of character? Frustrations with being lumped into a stereotype?
It's an perplexing issue, one that isn't limited to any one stereotype.
Mostly, though, the site is a stalking machine and reports on anything newsworthy the Potter stars are up to, from Emma Watson being mistaken for a child at the airport to Daniel Radcliffe's success in his latest movie or play.
Over the past few years, there's been a growing frustration--among the trio especially--about breaking free of their iconic Potter roles. They've moved on, but to millions around the world, Dan, Rupert, and Emma are branded into people's minds as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Mugglenet has taken it upon itself to ensure the trio gets plenty of non-HP exposure. Today's headline, "Rupert Grint departs from Ron Weasley image with new thriller film," gushes over the "purposeful departures" Dan, Rupert, and Emma have embarked upon in recent years. It glowingly praised Dan's success in roles that required nudity and was very congratulatory toward Rupert about his new role as a drug addict porn star. As for Emma, well, let me put it in their words: "We also reported on Emma Watson's projects, which are usually wholesome, but soon she will be seen in a role that is as far away from the real Emma as possible when she portrays a real-life criminal in The Bling Ring."
Potter stars aren't the only ones who want to shed their wholesome images. Disney stars like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez have gone through great lengths to convince the world that they're more than just parent-approved role models.
It's tempting to blame the "degradation" of these lost souls on the poison of fame, but fame isn't really the issue here. I think we all want to overcome our own image at some point in our lives, whether that image is "good" or "bad."
When I was growing up, I was the poster child Molly Mormon to a lot of people. In elementary school, I thrived at being the obedient goodie-goodie (at least at school--I'm positive no one will vouch for my angelic nature at home). By middle school, though, I resented the stereotype society had placed me in. It really bugged me when people said things like "Oh, but Angela would never do anything like that," as if I were a plastic cut-out incapable of doing anything more unexpected than tipping over. Inwardly, I would tell these people, "Oh yeah? Well sometimes I sneak out my window at nights without my parents knowing!" just to prove that there was more to me than meets the eye, but of course I never said anything.
My crowning moment of glory came in 6th grade when I was in Mr. Lewis' math class. There was a ban on gum and pens throughout the school, because everyone knows that 12-year-olds can't be trusted with them. No longer Miss Obedient, I chewed gum whenever I pleased, though I was discrete about it. One day, however, I was so engrossed in my math problem that I forgot to monitor my chewing. Mr. Lewis approached my desk solemnly and said, "I never thought I would say this to you, but will you please spit out your gum?"
The entire class broke out into soft titters of shock. As I got up from my seat in the front row, the noise built up around me as my classmates discussed in horror my descent from perfection. I, however, was far from horrified. In fact, I was jubilant that I had knocked myself off the pedestal of Molly Mormonism, and it took all the willpower I had to not break out into a huge grin of triumph. I had finally shown them what I was capable of.
And I haven't changed much. Not really. I still have a difficult time hiding my pleasure when people find out that I have sworn at my car a few times, that I can hold my own in a punching war against my little sister, and that I pretend all the stop signs in Elk Ridge are yield signs.
But what, exactly, is so bad about people thinking you're good? Is is the expectations? Implied lack of character? Frustrations with being lumped into a stereotype?
It's an perplexing issue, one that isn't limited to any one stereotype.
Monday, January 21, 2013
This darn cold
I don't know about anyone else, but I am tired of this constant, frigid cold. I don't ever remember it being this cold for this long.
- The tips of my fingers and toes are extra dry and tender, so I have to put lotion on twice as much as usual to keep them from cracking. Stubbing my toes is also particularly painful. Ow.
- I might as well keep my butter dish in the fridge, because the butter never thaws out enough to spread easily when I have my morning toast.
- I've been getting a lot of practice walking in my high-heel boots the past three Sundays because I now value warmth more than my own life.
- I sleep with my socks on now, plus 3-4 blankets (except for last night--I slept with a whopping 5 blankets).
- I like to save my firelogs for the really cold days, which means I'm burning a log a day, even with heat blasting through my vents.
- I think my heater really sucks, actually.
- And then I get my heat bill and the whole situation is more sucky.
- With the yucky air and my filthy car windows, it was getting difficult to drive through town safely, so I finally coughed up five bucks for a car wash. However, I was too cheap to pay an extra dollar for the power dry, so when I got home there were frozen streaks of water stuck to my car.
- My toes are sore from all the times I've kicked fenderbergs off my car.
- I'm actually glad it takes my computer forever to boot up in the mornings; it gives me extra time to unthaw my fingers (sitting on my hands is the most effective method).
- I hate walking by my front door and the windows of my apartment because that's where the evil cold air is.
- Sometimes I think I'll get frostbite from walking on the cold tiles in my house.
- When I was a kid, taking the garbage out was my favorite chore because it took the least amount of time. Now I abhor any chore that requires an extra trip outside. It takes special planning now to rid my apartment of garbage, such as donning Eskimo apparel and timing my dashes outside to coincide with the sun.
- Why, oh why can't I just have a 15-minute, steaming-hot shower?
- Walking from my car to my office building is an interesting experience for someone who had a perpetually runny nose.
- One of my co-workers is in Hawaii this week. I'm mad that I didn't get an invite for an all-expenses-paid vacation from single-digit temperatures. I mean, that's not too much to ask, is it?
- I actually did laundry a little earlier than I had planned last week because I was out of long-sleeved shirts and baseball socks.
- I can't wait for Sunday because according to weather.com, the high is 43 degrees. Toasty warmth at last. . . .
Okay, rant over.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Passion: The destroyer of meaninglessness
I just finished reading a book about a guy who goes through life thinking that nothing matters. He doesn't care about anything because he figures we're all gonna die anyway, so what's the point?
I really hate this view on life. I feel deep pity for anyone who truly believes that there is nothing in life worth living for.
However. . . .
There are times when I get caught up in the daily slog of things and I forget that each day is a new, irretrievable treasure. Especially in January/February when life is more sloggish than usual. It's hard to be excited about life when the sun is in partial-hibernation mode and it's so cold outside it hurts; but it's easy to retreat into uncaring mode, even if you're a pretty content and optimistic human being like me.
Eventually, though, I always remember that I have so many things that matter, things that matter so much that they overshadow any moods I get myself into. Sometimes I even realize this before March releases me from the dark prison of winter.
This year, the trigger for me was the release of a book I've been waiting to read for 10 years. The anticipation for the book and the delight I experienced reading it was enough to yank me out of my uncaring mode and back into a fast-paced life of delight. Work was satisfying again. School was fun again. Snow was magical again. It was like (to use a Wheel of Time analogy) I had embraced saidar again after not touching the Source for a few weeks.
Of course, there is a downside to living a life of passions. Such as one restless night because you finish the book you've been preparing to read for 10 years and then you are morally obligated to lie in bed for hours afterward thinking about it, and another restless night the next day because you keep replaying the last five seconds of the BYU-St. Mary's game in your head.
But, if I have to sacrifice a little sleep to live a life of passions, I'll take it. That is, as long as I don't miss out on too much sleep, because it just so happens that I'm passionate about sleep too.
I really hate this view on life. I feel deep pity for anyone who truly believes that there is nothing in life worth living for.
However. . . .
There are times when I get caught up in the daily slog of things and I forget that each day is a new, irretrievable treasure. Especially in January/February when life is more sloggish than usual. It's hard to be excited about life when the sun is in partial-hibernation mode and it's so cold outside it hurts; but it's easy to retreat into uncaring mode, even if you're a pretty content and optimistic human being like me.
Eventually, though, I always remember that I have so many things that matter, things that matter so much that they overshadow any moods I get myself into. Sometimes I even realize this before March releases me from the dark prison of winter.
This year, the trigger for me was the release of a book I've been waiting to read for 10 years. The anticipation for the book and the delight I experienced reading it was enough to yank me out of my uncaring mode and back into a fast-paced life of delight. Work was satisfying again. School was fun again. Snow was magical again. It was like (to use a Wheel of Time analogy) I had embraced saidar again after not touching the Source for a few weeks.
Of course, there is a downside to living a life of passions. Such as one restless night because you finish the book you've been preparing to read for 10 years and then you are morally obligated to lie in bed for hours afterward thinking about it, and another restless night the next day because you keep replaying the last five seconds of the BYU-St. Mary's game in your head.
But, if I have to sacrifice a little sleep to live a life of passions, I'll take it. That is, as long as I don't miss out on too much sleep, because it just so happens that I'm passionate about sleep too.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Nerd alert
Today I received two very important packages.
Number 1:
I haven't waited as long as most die-hard WoT fans for this book, but I've still been waiting for 10 years. In fact, the only thing that kept me from giving up on the series was the thought of just how awesome this book would be. A few goosebumps appeared on my arms when I held this book in my hands for the first time; that hasn't happened since Harry Potter. Speaking of Harry Potter. . . .
Number 2:
Yes, those are authentic wands from the greatest trio of all fiction: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Best Christmas bonus I ever got. Neville's and Luna's wands should be there as well, but the owl that delivered them got all lost and confused and delivered them to my parents' house instead. My plan is to Summon them to my apartment, but I need a little more practice first.
It was very hard getting any work done today, knowing that these wonderfully nerdy gifts were sitting at home. Think 8-year-old kid on Christmas Eve.
In fact, what am I talking to you for? I've got some serious reading to do.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The beauty of new years resolutions
I had only planned to make one new years resolution this year. The new years resolutions naysayers had finally gotten through to me and I felt silly thinking about resolutions when everyone says they are useless anyway. So I just picked a "theme" for the year and planned to center all my self-improvement efforts on my theme.
Then came January 2. The bustle, warmth, fun, boredom, and Kodak moments of the holidays come to a brutal end and, despite thinking I was ready for a healthy dose of reality, all I can see in front of me is months of bitter cold and sunless days, more of same from last year, and almost six months until my next vacation day.
That's not exactly the bright future I envisioned for 2013 from the other side of January 2.
So I made some resolutions, knowing full well that I will have forgotten about some of them by the end of February. But right now, that doesn't matter so much. The goals I make at the beginning of every year do more than help me improve various aspects of my life. They light up the dank months of January and February by reminding me of all the wonderful things I will accomplish that year, and give me hope that this year could be the best year of my life.
On January 2, I didn't have any grand plans for 2013. Now, however, I suspect that 2013 will be my year.
Then came January 2. The bustle, warmth, fun, boredom, and Kodak moments of the holidays come to a brutal end and, despite thinking I was ready for a healthy dose of reality, all I can see in front of me is months of bitter cold and sunless days, more of same from last year, and almost six months until my next vacation day.
That's not exactly the bright future I envisioned for 2013 from the other side of January 2.
So I made some resolutions, knowing full well that I will have forgotten about some of them by the end of February. But right now, that doesn't matter so much. The goals I make at the beginning of every year do more than help me improve various aspects of my life. They light up the dank months of January and February by reminding me of all the wonderful things I will accomplish that year, and give me hope that this year could be the best year of my life.
On January 2, I didn't have any grand plans for 2013. Now, however, I suspect that 2013 will be my year.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
2012 book "awards"
I read a lot. At the beginning of the year, I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to read a certain number of books. I settled on 35. I exceeded my goal.
Like I said, I read a lot.
Then I thought it would be fun to create little categories and "award" the books I read this year for being a certain kind of awesome or not-so-awesome. So here goes.
Books read: 51
Total number of pages read: 18,178
Ratings:
Re-reads: 14
Longest book: Towers of Midnight (WoT #13), by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson. 864 pages.
Shortest book: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. 54 pages. Yes, this book really is that short.
Book that belongs on the pedastal of awesomesauce: The Giver, by Lois Lowry. This book left quite an impression on me when Mr. Applegate, my 5th grade teacher, read it to us. So much of an impression that it continues to leave the rest of the books I've read (minus a select few) behind in the dregs of its awesomesauce.
Book that belongs in my torture chamber: The Casual Vacancy, by J.K. Rowling. I don't think I need to explain this one.
Best escape book: Thy Gold to Refine (W&G #4), by Gerald N. Lund. My love for reading stemmed from the ability to escape into other worlds, not for the lessons the books taught (that came later). This re-read of the Work and Glory series has made me realize that Elder Lund isn't a spectacular writer. However, it is so easy to get lost in this world where the Steeds are real people. I've always loved these characters, which is why this series is one I often turn to when I just want to escape from reality. That fact that I read this book when I particularly needed something to escape to is a big reason why this book wins the escape award.
Best nonfiction: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, and this year I only had two options to choose from. People are always telling me that marriage is hard but they rarely say why. This book explains some of that mystery.
Yawn award: Crossroads of Twilight (WoT #10), by Robert Jordan. The 9th Wheel of Time book had the most epic ending ever and then Jordan killed the momentum by writing his most boring book of the series. He spends the first 500 pages telling us how every rock, stick, and item of clothing reacted to the event at the end of book 9. My brain was too desensitized to notice anything interesting after that. The next time I re-read this series, I'm skipping this book.
Chick award: Star of the Morning, by Lynn Kurland. This book is pegged as fantasy, but it's all about the romance. This is an extremely clean romance, which makes it a safe, enjoyable escape read.
Funniest book: Bored of the Rings, by the Harvard Lampoon. This book has more than its fair share of sexual and potty-mouth humor, but there are also plenty of bouts of real humor. Even though I felt like a vile betrayer reading something that mocks something as sacred as Lord of the Rings, I sniggered through most of the book. Simply reading the names was enough to give me some much-needed comic relief during my study breaks. Sorhead and ballhog were among my favorite names.
Saddest book: Messenger, by Lois Lowry. This book is sad, obviously, but I've read other sad books that don't affect me like this one does. I cried buckets of tears both times I read this book, though luckily I was alone when I read it this year.
Book I was most pleasantly surprised by: Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah. I checked this book out from the library, but ended up turning it in before I had a chance to read it. A few days later I saw this book again when I was buying a new journal at Barnes and Noble. So I bought it. Usually when I pick up a book I've never heard of before or have some vague interest in, it ends up being a "meh" read. That was not the case with this book. I loved it. It's beautiful, tragic, inspiring, and educational, all wrapped in one lovely package.
Book I was most disappointed in: The Three Musketeers, by Alexadre Dumas. The '90s version of this movie holds a special place in my heart, partly because of childhood memories and the Bryan Adams song at the end. I expected this book to be about lovable rogues who have great adventures, just like in the movie, but instead it was 600 pages of a violently hormonal d'Artagnan, lazy men who gamble and sleep with other men's wives, and slight after slight on the female race.
Book that fueled my hope for humanity: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. Life can be good even if you're poor and your dad's a drunk. Like The Casual Vacancy, this book starkingly reflects real life--every messy bit of it--but unlike the Casual Vacancy, I closed the book filled with hope.
Book that would make a great movie: I debated between a Wheel of Time book and The Goose Girl, and eventually my girlie side won out and picked The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale. It's a great story that I think boys and girls, men and women, would enjoy. And I certainly wouldn't mind seeing the relationship between Ani and Geric on screen.
Book that should not be made into a movie: Again, I debated between two books: The Giver and The Casual Vacancy. As much as I don't want to see The Casual Vacancy on screen, I think it's still more doable than The Giver. I don't know how filmmakers could do it justice, especially since Jonas lives in a world without basic things like color. Half the greatness of the book is the little discoveries throughout as you realize this world doesn't have things we all take for granted; we don't need a movie to spell all that out for us.
Book I wouldn't mind living in: The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson. Watterson captures childhood perfectly through Cavlin and Hobbes. I would love to be one of Calvin's playmates and join him on one of his many adventures. That is, after I filched the Transfimogrifier (sp?) and turned myself into a boy. Otherwise Calvin would only throw snowballs at me, even if it was in the middle of July.
Most thought provoking: The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. Every night after I put my bedtime reading aside, I would lie in bed and think about the themes in this novel: redemption, hope, abuse, relationships. This book deals with a lot of difficult issues, but it sure gave me a lot to think about (and to be grateful for).
Most unique: Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad. Most of the books I read fall under the YA and fantasy categories, so I've been trying to expand my world view a bit. I never would have picked up Heart of Darkness just for fun, but it was a surprisingly enjoyable read.
Favorite character: Razo, from River Secrets by Shannon Hale (he also appears in the other Books of Bayern, but this book is about him). I love his easy-going nature. I love his obsession with food. I love his crazy hair. I love his ability to crack jokes in any situation. And I love that he loves his little sister, Rinn, so much. He may not be the best warrior, but he has unique skills that don't force him into the limelight all the time. This is the type of guy I could easily fall for.
Least favorite character: That would be Simon from The Casual Vacancy. He had to battle a lot of other venomous characters from The Casual Vacancy to get this award.
Character I could relate to most: Rinn from Forest Born by Shannon Hale. Rinn is basically me when I was a teenager, except I didn't have like 12 older siblings. There are so many things about her that I understood on a deeply emotional level.
Best crop of the year: You know a book is good if you'd recommend it to your friends without hesitation. Here's the most satisfying crop of books I came across this year (in no particular order).
Like I said, I read a lot.
Then I thought it would be fun to create little categories and "award" the books I read this year for being a certain kind of awesome or not-so-awesome. So here goes.
Books read: 51
Total number of pages read: 18,178
Ratings:
- 5 stars: 12
- 4 stars: 10
- 3 stars: 22
- 2 stars: 5
- 1 star: 2
Re-reads: 14
Longest book: Towers of Midnight (WoT #13), by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson. 864 pages.
Shortest book: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. 54 pages. Yes, this book really is that short.
Book that belongs on the pedastal of awesomesauce: The Giver, by Lois Lowry. This book left quite an impression on me when Mr. Applegate, my 5th grade teacher, read it to us. So much of an impression that it continues to leave the rest of the books I've read (minus a select few) behind in the dregs of its awesomesauce.
Book that belongs in my torture chamber: The Casual Vacancy, by J.K. Rowling. I don't think I need to explain this one.
Best escape book: Thy Gold to Refine (W&G #4), by Gerald N. Lund. My love for reading stemmed from the ability to escape into other worlds, not for the lessons the books taught (that came later). This re-read of the Work and Glory series has made me realize that Elder Lund isn't a spectacular writer. However, it is so easy to get lost in this world where the Steeds are real people. I've always loved these characters, which is why this series is one I often turn to when I just want to escape from reality. That fact that I read this book when I particularly needed something to escape to is a big reason why this book wins the escape award.
Best nonfiction: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, and this year I only had two options to choose from. People are always telling me that marriage is hard but they rarely say why. This book explains some of that mystery.
Yawn award: Crossroads of Twilight (WoT #10), by Robert Jordan. The 9th Wheel of Time book had the most epic ending ever and then Jordan killed the momentum by writing his most boring book of the series. He spends the first 500 pages telling us how every rock, stick, and item of clothing reacted to the event at the end of book 9. My brain was too desensitized to notice anything interesting after that. The next time I re-read this series, I'm skipping this book.
Chick award: Star of the Morning, by Lynn Kurland. This book is pegged as fantasy, but it's all about the romance. This is an extremely clean romance, which makes it a safe, enjoyable escape read.
Funniest book: Bored of the Rings, by the Harvard Lampoon. This book has more than its fair share of sexual and potty-mouth humor, but there are also plenty of bouts of real humor. Even though I felt like a vile betrayer reading something that mocks something as sacred as Lord of the Rings, I sniggered through most of the book. Simply reading the names was enough to give me some much-needed comic relief during my study breaks. Sorhead and ballhog were among my favorite names.
Saddest book: Messenger, by Lois Lowry. This book is sad, obviously, but I've read other sad books that don't affect me like this one does. I cried buckets of tears both times I read this book, though luckily I was alone when I read it this year.
Book I was most pleasantly surprised by: Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah. I checked this book out from the library, but ended up turning it in before I had a chance to read it. A few days later I saw this book again when I was buying a new journal at Barnes and Noble. So I bought it. Usually when I pick up a book I've never heard of before or have some vague interest in, it ends up being a "meh" read. That was not the case with this book. I loved it. It's beautiful, tragic, inspiring, and educational, all wrapped in one lovely package.
Book I was most disappointed in: The Three Musketeers, by Alexadre Dumas. The '90s version of this movie holds a special place in my heart, partly because of childhood memories and the Bryan Adams song at the end. I expected this book to be about lovable rogues who have great adventures, just like in the movie, but instead it was 600 pages of a violently hormonal d'Artagnan, lazy men who gamble and sleep with other men's wives, and slight after slight on the female race.
Book that fueled my hope for humanity: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. Life can be good even if you're poor and your dad's a drunk. Like The Casual Vacancy, this book starkingly reflects real life--every messy bit of it--but unlike the Casual Vacancy, I closed the book filled with hope.
Book that would make a great movie: I debated between a Wheel of Time book and The Goose Girl, and eventually my girlie side won out and picked The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale. It's a great story that I think boys and girls, men and women, would enjoy. And I certainly wouldn't mind seeing the relationship between Ani and Geric on screen.
Book that should not be made into a movie: Again, I debated between two books: The Giver and The Casual Vacancy. As much as I don't want to see The Casual Vacancy on screen, I think it's still more doable than The Giver. I don't know how filmmakers could do it justice, especially since Jonas lives in a world without basic things like color. Half the greatness of the book is the little discoveries throughout as you realize this world doesn't have things we all take for granted; we don't need a movie to spell all that out for us.
Book I wouldn't mind living in: The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson. Watterson captures childhood perfectly through Cavlin and Hobbes. I would love to be one of Calvin's playmates and join him on one of his many adventures. That is, after I filched the Transfimogrifier (sp?) and turned myself into a boy. Otherwise Calvin would only throw snowballs at me, even if it was in the middle of July.
Most thought provoking: The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. Every night after I put my bedtime reading aside, I would lie in bed and think about the themes in this novel: redemption, hope, abuse, relationships. This book deals with a lot of difficult issues, but it sure gave me a lot to think about (and to be grateful for).
Most unique: Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad. Most of the books I read fall under the YA and fantasy categories, so I've been trying to expand my world view a bit. I never would have picked up Heart of Darkness just for fun, but it was a surprisingly enjoyable read.
Favorite character: Razo, from River Secrets by Shannon Hale (he also appears in the other Books of Bayern, but this book is about him). I love his easy-going nature. I love his obsession with food. I love his crazy hair. I love his ability to crack jokes in any situation. And I love that he loves his little sister, Rinn, so much. He may not be the best warrior, but he has unique skills that don't force him into the limelight all the time. This is the type of guy I could easily fall for.
Least favorite character: That would be Simon from The Casual Vacancy. He had to battle a lot of other venomous characters from The Casual Vacancy to get this award.
Character I could relate to most: Rinn from Forest Born by Shannon Hale. Rinn is basically me when I was a teenager, except I didn't have like 12 older siblings. There are so many things about her that I understood on a deeply emotional level.
Best crop of the year: You know a book is good if you'd recommend it to your friends without hesitation. Here's the most satisfying crop of books I came across this year (in no particular order).
- The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson
- The Gathering Storm (WoT #12), by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
- The Books of Bayern series, by Shannon Hale
- Sons of Oak (Runelords #5), by David Farland
- The Giver, by Lois Lowry
- Messenger, by Lois Lowry
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith
- Bored of the Rings, by Henry Beard
- Christmas Jars, by Jason F. Wright
- Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah
- The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Complete list of books read during 2012 (to see my reviews, click here):
Cinder and Ella, by Melissa Lemon
Crossroads of Twilight (WoT #10), by Robert Jordan
Knife of Dreams (WoT #11), by Robert Jordan
The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson
The Gathering Storm (WoT #12), by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
Towers of Midnight (WoT #13), by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
Star of the Morning, by Lynn Kurland
The Scent of Cherry Blossoms: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country, by Cindy Woodsmall
Switched, by Amanda Hocking
Torn, by Amanda Hocking
The Mage's Daughter, by Lynn Kurland
Sons of Oak (Runelords #5), by David Farland
Princess of the Sword, by Lynn Kurland
Ascend, by Amanda Hocking
Worldbinder (Runelords #6), by David Farland
The Wyrmling Horde (Runelords #7), by David Farland
Defenders of the Covenant, by Angie Lofthouse
The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale
Enna Burning, by Shannon Hale
River Secrets, by Shannon Hale
Forest Born, by Shannon Hale
Alcatraz vs. the Scrivener's Bones (Alcatraz #2), by Brandon Sanderson
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer, by Fred Kaplan
The Three Musketeers, by Alexander Dumas
Of Grace and Chocolate, by Krista Lynne Jensen
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Gathering Blue, by Lois Lowry
Messenger, by Lois Lowry
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill, by Gail Carson Levine
The Princess Test, by Gail Carson Levine
A World Without Heroes, by Brandon Mull
A Pillar of Light (W&G #1), by Gerald N. Lund
The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James
Like a Fire Is Burning (W&G #2), by Gerald N. Lund
Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad
The Casual Vacancy, by J.K. Rowling
Truth Will Prevail (W&G #3), by Gerald N. Lund
Bored of the Rings, by the Harvard Lampoon
Thy Gold to Refine (W&G #4), by Gerald N. Lund
A Season of Joy (W&G #5), by Gerald N. Lund
Christmas Jars, by Jason F. Wright
Some Kind of Fairy Tale, by Graham Joyce
Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah
Praise to the Man (W&G #6), by Gerald N. Lund
Stardust of Yesterday, by Lynn Kurland
Princess of the Silver Woods, by Jessica Day George
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson
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