22 November 2009
The Time Traveler's Wife
By Audrey Niffenegger.
Format.
An Audiobook read by William Hope and Laurel Lefkow.
The Book in One Sentence.
Henry DeTamble involuntarily travels through time and tries to live a 'normal' life.
The Good.
Beautifully crafted characters.
The Bad.
The bizarre dream sequences.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who likes loves stories with a scifi twist and/or bitter-sweet endings.
A Quote from the Book.
"I sleep. I inhabit sleep firmly, willing it, wielding it, pushing away dreams, refusing, refusing. Sleep is my lover now, my forgetting, my opiate, my oblivion."
Verdict.
A worthwhile read. Lots to like here.
15 November 2009
Twelve Angry Men
Format.
Netflix dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
Twelve jurors must decide the verdict in a murder case.
The Good.
A diverse group of twelve people coming together to create a bit of ordinary extraordinary. It is a delight to watch and puzzle out who will be the next to switch their vote.
The Bad.
They are in the jury room for nearly all of the movie. It was hot in there and I can sympathize its hot where I am too. The room is cramped in the film and, well, don't watch this if your prone to claustrophobia. Also, nothing supernatural happens. It is all pretty serious and real.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who likes black and white films and Henry Fonda.
A quote from the movie.
"Let's take a vote."
Verdict.
I've seen this movie several times and come away with something different each time. If you haven't seen it, rent it. Clear away the distractions and enjoy.
Netflix dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
Twelve jurors must decide the verdict in a murder case.
The Good.
A diverse group of twelve people coming together to create a bit of ordinary extraordinary. It is a delight to watch and puzzle out who will be the next to switch their vote.
The Bad.
They are in the jury room for nearly all of the movie. It was hot in there and I can sympathize its hot where I am too. The room is cramped in the film and, well, don't watch this if your prone to claustrophobia. Also, nothing supernatural happens. It is all pretty serious and real.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who likes black and white films and Henry Fonda.
A quote from the movie.
"Let's take a vote."
Verdict.
I've seen this movie several times and come away with something different each time. If you haven't seen it, rent it. Clear away the distractions and enjoy.
08 November 2009
The World Without Us
By Alan Weisman.
Format.
Audiobook read by Adam Grupper.
The Book in One Sentence.
What would happen to the planet and the structures we have built upon it, if we the Earth's human inhabitants were to disappear?
The Good.
It was very interesting to learn about the kind of maintenance that goes into 'civilisation'. Weisman, doesn't just stick to the states, but takes in the wider world as well.
The book takes in a wide range of phenomenon. Not only discussing what would happen if we should disappear, but also taking in the range of plant wide changes, our past and continued presence has and will cause.
The Bad.
This is not a particularly cheerful book. It is not meant to be. You've been warned.
Who would I recommend it to?
Those interested in doomsday books, in learning more about our impact on the world around us and/or curious about how our city infrastructure is maintained.
A Quote from the Book.
"In 2000, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service reported that 77,000 towers were higher than 199 feet, which meant that they were required to have warning lights for aircraft. If calculations were correct, that meant that nearly 200 million birds collided fatally with towers each year in the United States alone. In fact, those figures had already been usurped, because cell phone towers were being erected so fast. By 2005, there were 175,000 of those. Their addition. would raise the annual toll to half a billion dead birds --except that this number was still based on scant data and on guesses, because scavengers get to most feathered victims before they're found."
Verdict.
A good read. Weisman took many environmental studies and interviews, and crafted them into a very readable and entertaining story.
26 September 2009
Hominids:
Book #1 of The Neanderthal Parallax
By Robert J. Sawyer.
Format.
Audiobook read by Jonathan Davis.
The Book in One Sentence.
A Neanderthal named Ponter Boddit accidentally travels from his own universe into ours, and in so doing exposes both unique cultures to one another.
The Good.
I enjoyed a lot of the science and philosophy discussions. Boddit's people have a view on how the universe works that is far different from our own.
The Bad.
Some of the relationship dynamics seemed a bit forced.
Who would I recommend it to?
People interested in parallel worlds, alternate history and/or Neanderthals.
A Quote from the Book.
"Pennies from heaven."
Verdict.
I love how this book ended. Definitely going to read the rest of the series.
By Robert J. Sawyer.
Format.
Audiobook read by Jonathan Davis.
The Book in One Sentence.
A Neanderthal named Ponter Boddit accidentally travels from his own universe into ours, and in so doing exposes both unique cultures to one another.
The Good.
I enjoyed a lot of the science and philosophy discussions. Boddit's people have a view on how the universe works that is far different from our own.
The Bad.
Some of the relationship dynamics seemed a bit forced.
Who would I recommend it to?
People interested in parallel worlds, alternate history and/or Neanderthals.
A Quote from the Book.
"Pennies from heaven."
Verdict.
I love how this book ended. Definitely going to read the rest of the series.
19 September 2009
The Grim Grotto
By Lemony Snicket.
Format.
Audiobook read by Tim Curry.
The Book in One Sentence.
The Baudelaire orphans encounter yet another in a series of unfortunate events.
The Good.
Did you know that wasabi can be consider a culinary substitute for horseradish?
The Bad.
I wish this series could last forever. Ah, well.
Who would I recommend it to?
Everyone. Especially people who tend to enjoy childeren's books, like to learn new words and/or enjoy a good story.
A Quote from the Book.
"'Aye!' the voice said again. "Keep your eyes open! Look out below! Look out above! Look out for spies! Look out for one another! Look out! Aye! Be very careful! Be very aware! Be very much! Take a break! No--keep going! Stay awake! Calm down! Cheer up! Keep climbing! Keep your shirt on! Aye!'"
Verdict.
I'm having trouble writing something level headedly enthusiastic. This book and the whole series rock!
Format.
Audiobook read by Tim Curry.
The Book in One Sentence.
The Baudelaire orphans encounter yet another in a series of unfortunate events.
The Good.
Did you know that wasabi can be consider a culinary substitute for horseradish?
The Bad.
I wish this series could last forever. Ah, well.
Who would I recommend it to?
Everyone. Especially people who tend to enjoy childeren's books, like to learn new words and/or enjoy a good story.
A Quote from the Book.
"'Aye!' the voice said again. "Keep your eyes open! Look out below! Look out above! Look out for spies! Look out for one another! Look out! Aye! Be very careful! Be very aware! Be very much! Take a break! No--keep going! Stay awake! Calm down! Cheer up! Keep climbing! Keep your shirt on! Aye!'"
Verdict.
I'm having trouble writing something level headedly enthusiastic. This book and the whole series rock!
12 September 2009
Vantage Point
Format.
Redbox dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
The President is shot (or is he?) and that event along with what happens after is replayed through the eyes of several eye witnesses.
The Good.
Forest Whitaker.
The puzzle piece nature of the film makes it interesting to fit together in your mind.
The Bad.
The way the movie is pieced together is more interesting than the story that is being told. The name of the movie pretty much gives that away, but somehow I still wasn't expecting it.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who enjoys interestingly edited movies.
A quote from the movie.
"I go where the moment takes me."
Verdict.
Entertaining and unremarkable.
Redbox dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
The President is shot (or is he?) and that event along with what happens after is replayed through the eyes of several eye witnesses.
The Good.
Forest Whitaker.
The puzzle piece nature of the film makes it interesting to fit together in your mind.
The Bad.
The way the movie is pieced together is more interesting than the story that is being told. The name of the movie pretty much gives that away, but somehow I still wasn't expecting it.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who enjoys interestingly edited movies.
A quote from the movie.
"I go where the moment takes me."
Verdict.
Entertaining and unremarkable.
05 September 2009
The Reaping
Format.
Redbox dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
A disillusioned minister investigates a river of blood and regains her faith in the process.
The Good.
Beautiful aerial shots of swamp lands. Fun larger than life characters.
The Bad.
Way to many waking up from vivid dream sequences.
Who would I recommend it to?
People who enjoy a good rain of frogs.
A quote from the movie.
"Seeing as how I was standing waist high in blood, dodging frogs and all."
Verdict.
If I hadn't been bored I would never have picked this movie out to watch. I'll probably forget it in a few weeks.
Redbox dvd
The Movie in one sentence.
A disillusioned minister investigates a river of blood and regains her faith in the process.
The Good.
Beautiful aerial shots of swamp lands. Fun larger than life characters.
The Bad.
Way to many waking up from vivid dream sequences.
Who would I recommend it to?
People who enjoy a good rain of frogs.
A quote from the movie.
"Seeing as how I was standing waist high in blood, dodging frogs and all."
Verdict.
If I hadn't been bored I would never have picked this movie out to watch. I'll probably forget it in a few weeks.
30 August 2009
Lawrence of Arabia
(1962)
Format.
Netflix dvd.
The Movie in one sentence.
Depicts T.E. Lawrence's role in World War I.
The Good.
An incredible story I'd never heard before. I'm still not sure of the historical placement, but I intend to learn more. This Peter O'Toole fellow is divine.
The Bad.
I know the vast desertscapes were part of the point. They were also beautiful shots. However in a movie of over 3 hours in length, it was a bit more than I could take. I totally fast forwarded through bits of it. Oh. And the torture scene. Because watching someone be tortured when I can do nothing to help, drives me nuts.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone with an interest in this piece of history, Lawrence, beautiful films, or excellent stories.
A quote from the movie.
"I'm different."
Verdict.
I'm not sure how I could have gone so long in my life without having seen this film. I've added it to my re-watch in five years list. I'll be curious to see what insights an older Liz will have.
22 August 2009
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
by Michael Chabon
Format.
Audiobook on iAudio T2.
The Book in one Sentence.
An unstable detective must race against time to solve a murder before his people are kicked out of Alaska.
The Good.
Chabon's descriptions are priceless. One of the characters, Bina Gelbfish, uses whatever is handy to tie her hair back, which is totally something I do.
The Bad.
Occasionally a bit too gritty for me.
Who would I Recommend it to?
Anyone with an interest in alternate history, gritty crime novels, hidden cows, or happy endings.
A quote from the Book.
"According to doctors, therapists, and his ex-wife, Landsman drinks to medicate himself, tuning the tubes and crystals of his moods with a crude hammer of hundred-proof plum brandy. But the truth is that Landsman has only two moods: working and dead."
Verdict.
There is an awesome story here. While it took me some effort to get past the grit and flashbacks to see that, I will definitely be reading it again.
16 August 2009
The Sex Lives of Cannibals:
Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
by J. Maarten Troost
Format.
Borrowed paperback recommended by Meredith.
The Book in one sentence.
Troost goes with beguiling girlfriend to far away, isolated island where they experience a different culture, and come away changed for the better.
The Good.
Troost tale is often entertaining and also informative on a piece of history, most would never come across
The Bad.
For a book I thought would be pretty much fluff, possibly a bit to much reality.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone with an interest in atolls in the equatorial pacific, island customs, how does one live without sewage treatment, gaining an appreciation for the US postal system.
A quote from the book.
"Johnston Atoll in the vilest place on Earth. In the 1960's the United States used the island for atmospheric nuclear tests, which is a definite no-no in most neighborhoods. Not content to merely nuke the atoll, the U.S. then decided to poison it. This is where America stores and disposes of such wonders from the laboratory as the nerve gas Sarin and other clever agents for delivering disease and death. There are two bleak processing plants and they sit at either end of the runway, steadily burning canister after canister of poison. Between the plants are military barracks with satellite dishes protruding from their roofs, receiving signals from a world that seems very far away. There is nothing else on Johnston Atoll. Now and then, there are little accidents, leakages, small oopsies, and the hapless soldiers assigned here don their gas masks.
It is tempting to dash off a page or two and expound upon the philosophical implications of Johnston Atoll. The physical manifestations of humanity's capacity for great evil reside here, and for writers more ambitious than I this would be like catnip. However, sitting in an airplane watching one passenger, a civilian who had made a peculiar career choice, disembark, I was not struck by any profound ruminations. My thoughts were more along the lines of Could someone please close the fucking door before we all turn into mutants? Armed soldiers guarded the airplane and I just knew that they were sporting fish gills, and while I felt deeply sorry for them and their offspring, I just wished that someone would close the door and let us breathe airplane air again, which is only slightly less toxic, but still. And then someone did just that, and we were back in the air, scanning the water closely, searching for signs of Godzilla."
Verdict.
After everything, I think I will remember the historical information best. It was like taking a vitamin pill with a sugar coating. I'll remember the important bits well after the initial humour has faded. A decent piece of infotainment.
by J. Maarten Troost
Format.
Borrowed paperback recommended by Meredith.
The Book in one sentence.
Troost goes with beguiling girlfriend to far away, isolated island where they experience a different culture, and come away changed for the better.
The Good.
Troost tale is often entertaining and also informative on a piece of history, most would never come across
The Bad.
For a book I thought would be pretty much fluff, possibly a bit to much reality.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone with an interest in atolls in the equatorial pacific, island customs, how does one live without sewage treatment, gaining an appreciation for the US postal system.
A quote from the book.
"Johnston Atoll in the vilest place on Earth. In the 1960's the United States used the island for atmospheric nuclear tests, which is a definite no-no in most neighborhoods. Not content to merely nuke the atoll, the U.S. then decided to poison it. This is where America stores and disposes of such wonders from the laboratory as the nerve gas Sarin and other clever agents for delivering disease and death. There are two bleak processing plants and they sit at either end of the runway, steadily burning canister after canister of poison. Between the plants are military barracks with satellite dishes protruding from their roofs, receiving signals from a world that seems very far away. There is nothing else on Johnston Atoll. Now and then, there are little accidents, leakages, small oopsies, and the hapless soldiers assigned here don their gas masks.
It is tempting to dash off a page or two and expound upon the philosophical implications of Johnston Atoll. The physical manifestations of humanity's capacity for great evil reside here, and for writers more ambitious than I this would be like catnip. However, sitting in an airplane watching one passenger, a civilian who had made a peculiar career choice, disembark, I was not struck by any profound ruminations. My thoughts were more along the lines of Could someone please close the fucking door before we all turn into mutants? Armed soldiers guarded the airplane and I just knew that they were sporting fish gills, and while I felt deeply sorry for them and their offspring, I just wished that someone would close the door and let us breathe airplane air again, which is only slightly less toxic, but still. And then someone did just that, and we were back in the air, scanning the water closely, searching for signs of Godzilla."
Verdict.
After everything, I think I will remember the historical information best. It was like taking a vitamin pill with a sugar coating. I'll remember the important bits well after the initial humour has faded. A decent piece of infotainment.
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