Month: August 2009

700 Sundays, by Billy Crystal

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Cover ImageFinished 8-18-09, rating 4/5, memoir, pub. 2005

Now you can’t pick the family that you’re born into.  That’s just the roll of the dice.  It’s just luck.  But if I could pick these people, I would pick them over and over again because they were lunatics.  Fun lunatics.  What a crazy group of people, and great characters too.  It was like the Star Wars bar, but everybody had accents.

Chapter 2

Actor and comedian Billy Crystals writes a touching memoir of the 700 Sundays that he had with his father before before his death when Billy was 15.  Although this is a tribute to his parents, it is also a celebration of his family.  He has an impressive and accomplished extended family and his love for them is evident on every page. 

His family owned Commodore Music Shop in midtown Manhattan and because of the connections made there Billy grew up surrounded by artists.  He included snapshots of these meetings and relationships.  My favorite may have been when the great Billie Holiday took him to see his first movie and he watched Shane sitting on her lap.  These stories added to the book, but were not the focus. 

One page I was laughing out loud as he discovered his newfound manhood and on the next I was in tears as I read about the last time Billy saw his father.  There was humor (most of it successful), but it really reached out and touched my heart as I raced to the end. 

I will admit that there were several chapters at the beginning that I found boring, but the second half of the book made up for it.  A man who loves and appreciates his family, like Billy, is one to admire.

It is relatively short and includes photos of the people he’s writing about.  He also performed this book on Broadway in a one man show and I wish I’d had the chance to see it.  I highly recommend this memoir of his memories with his father and mother.

Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen

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Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) by Jane Austen: Book CoverFinished 8-17-09, rating 4.5/5, classic fiction, pub. 1813

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.  If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least.  They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation, and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

Charlotte to Elizabeth, Chapter 6

There are five Bennet daughters to be married off and their mother holds this responsibility tightly to her aggrieved chest.  The eldest, Jane, is a beauty and she finds herself drawn to the agreeable and rich Mr. Bingley.  Our heroine, Elizabeth, is next in line, but with no immediate prospects past her cousin, the silly Mr. Collins.  Elizabeth does lock horns with Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy and takes great delight in teasing him.  The three youngest daughters and their mother lack propriety and there is little hope for an advantageous match for the three of them.

There are so many complex characters in this novel and I loved them all.  I admit that I did not immediately love Elizabeth, but she grew on me rather quickly.  She made fast judgements, but was not above admitting miscalculations.  And Mr. Darcy, well, what’s not to love really?  A smart, handsome, and wealthy gentleman who would move Heaven and earth to make me happy?  Sign me up!   I loved Mr. Bennet’s partiality toward Elizabeth, especially when her mother so completely undervalued her.  And Lady Catherine was a great haughty antagonist.

This is a 19th century English classic.  It takes aim at the aristocracy and the many social customs of the day.  Were that to be all that it was it would be a classic, but what makes it so well-beloved is how well it has aged.  I loved the characters and the plot was fantastic.  There was a beautiful progression and the longer I read the faster the pages turned. 

I’ve seen the BBC miniseries (Hello, Colin Firth!) and the more recent one with Keira Knightly as Elizabeth and enjoyed them both.  Now after reading the book I think I might need watch the BBC version again.  This is the first Austen book I’ve read and I loved it.  The only thing keeping it from a perfect 5 is that just before the halfway mark it did drag a little for me, but that is a small complaint.  I’m only sorry it has taken me so long to read it!

 

Teaser Tuesday – Last Night at the Lobster

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 teasertuesdays31Grab your current read.  Open to a random page.  Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!).  Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

His mission is simple:  Buy something she will love, and love him for buying.  Nothing useful, like a new camera to take pictures of the baby (that’s on a different list), or a brake job for her Elantra (on no list but his, nagging as a jagged cavity or the sudden absence, now, of the rubber band).

page 73

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan: Book Cover

I’m between books this morning, so I hope to start this in the next few days.  What are you reading today?

Please visit MizB to join the fun!

Wheel of Stacy Quiz – more hints

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This is a list of a few of the books that have made their way onto my TBR shelves this summer.  Can you identify them just by the few  letters I’ve given you?  Just like those contestants on The Wheel of Fortune 🙂   Leave a comment with the # and answer.

1. The Castaways   by   Elin Hilderbrand   – Debbie

2. The Widow‘s Season by Laura Brodie  –  Heather

3. The Innocent  Man by  John Grisham

4. The Jane Austen Book Club   by Karen   Joy   Fowler   –  Heather & Michael

5. April & Oliver   by   Tess   Callahan – Kathy

6.  The Mermaid Chair  by Sue Monk  Kidd

7. Off Season by Anne River Siddons  –  Heather

8. The Memory Keeper‘s Daughter byKim Edwards  –  Thoughts of Joy

9. The Time Traveller‘s Wife   by  Audrey Niffenegger  –  Nikola

10.  Digging  To America by Anne Tyler  –  jb

Stitches, by David Small

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Stitches by David Small: Book CoverFinished 6-30-09, rating 4/5, graphic memoir, pub. 2009

David Small is an award winning children’s book illustrator and he shows the horror of his youth in this graphic novel.  His childhood was full of lies, secrets, emotionally distant parents, and illness.  How would you feel if you were told you were taking a routine trip to the hospital only to overhear much later that it had really been cancer surgery?  The story is told with few words, but page after page of stark black and white illustrations perfectly express the sadness of his Detroit upbringing. 

This was my first graphic novel and while I loved the story and artwork, I found that I outread the pictures.  I tried to make myself slow down and take everything in, but it wasn’t easy, it was too easy to keep the pages turning.  But the images stuck with me after the book was done.   The ugliness of his grandmother (inside and out) and the indifferent attitude of both of his parents was shocking and sad.

I really enjoyed this fast read and although I’m not sure when I’ll read  another graphic novel I am happy that I read this one. I want to thank my friend Golda for giving me this book on my trip to New York in June.  I’m giving this dramatic memoir with its haunting artwork a thumbs up.   

This will be released in September 2009.

Fave Film #3 – Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the theater

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1961

Cast- Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard

Directed by Blake Edwards

Last night my husband took me to dinner at Lola’s (for you Iron Chef America fans it is Michael Symon’s restaurant in downtown Cleveland).  We had a scrumptious dinner.  Then we went down to the Palace Theater where they were showing Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the big screen and hundreds of other classic movie buffs joined us.  As this is one of my favorite films it was a perfect date night. 

Holly Golightly is an escort to wealthy men and Paul Varjak a kept man who is also a writer.  When the two become neighbors a true friendship blossoms before they find themselves drawn to each other in a more physical relationship.  But Holly is a complicated woman and not one easily caught.

Why I love it- First, I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan.  I find her lovely, fascinating and beautiful.  I think I’ve seen most of her films and this is her iconic role.  Holly is a crazy mess of a girl and one that I could identify with from the very first time I saw the movie years ago.  She is such a flawed individual that I can’t help but love her. 

Before this movie I only knew George Peppard from watching the A-Team in the 80’s, so I was very surprised to see him as the good looking leading man, or ‘the shy, bookish type’ as Paul would say.  I loved his earnest portrayal of a man in love with a woman who didn’t quite love herself yet.  Every woman wants a man who won’t give up on her.

Watching it this time I loved the day they spent together doing things they had never done before, starting with champagne before breakfast and ending with them in bed.  It was a fun and playful day that really showcased their relationship.  And although there was a lot more to this movie it is ultimately a love story.

I love Holly’s style, Audrey’s singing Moon River, Cat, and the whole cab/rain scene at the end.  There really isn’t anything I don’t like about this movie.

This is loosely based on the novella by Truman Capote. 

Now watch and listen to the song that won an Oscar that year for Best Music, Original Song

The Carriage House, by Carla Neggers

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The Carriage House by Carla Neggers: Book CoverFinished 8-10-09, rating 3/5, romantic suspense, pub. 2001

This is Book 1 in the Texas Rangers 4 book series. 

“I can sell it.”

“Who would buy it?  It’s run-down.  It’s on the flipping historic register.  It’s on a minuscule lot.  And, I might add–”  She swiveled around in her expensive ergonomic chair, zeroing in on her office mate and friend with those piercing green eyes.  “I might add that the place is haunted.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

Chapter 1

Tess Haviland is in her 30’s, owns her own graphic design business and is single and childless, much to the disappointment of her dad.  As payment for her services, the eccentric Ike Grantham gives her an old carriage house on Boston’s North Shore, a place that has special memories for Tess.  Soon after gifting her with the house Ike disappears and Tess puts off doing anything with the house.  Now a year later she receives a tax bill and decides to go out to the house to see if she wants to keep it.

Once she arrives at the dilapidated carriage house she is appalled at the condition and the renovations that are necessary.  On her first night there she meets the neighbors, sexy Andrew Thorne, his princess daughter Dolly, and the skeleton she finds in the dirt basement.  Spooked and scared, Tess doesn’t call the police right away and this is where the story really begins.

The characters were all enjoyable, if not memorable.  The story was fast paced and although you knew who did it relatively early on there was some confusion thrown in to keep you reading.  I really liked the secondary characters.  Andrew’s cousin Harley Beckett was an original and Tess’s dad and godfather were loving manly men and it was easy to forgive their chauvinistic ways.

To be fair, I should say that I started this on the plane last week and the fact that it kept my attention at all is an endorsement.  I could be the world’s worst flier.  So, it did keep my interest for pages at a time and this is all I could have hoped for on the plane.

Our Denver/Vail Trip

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Jason & I travelled to Denver last Saturday.  We stayed downtown and had a great time.  We walked the 16th Street mall, where Jason spent some time playing chess on the street with locals.  He won 5 out of 6 and had fun strategizing for an audience.  We also visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore and fell in love.  Gave me lots of great ideas for the bookstore I want to open some day.  They have 3 locations in the Denver area.denver- tattered cover

I suppose I should mention that the mile high city did give me a headache that first day, but did better prepare my body for the 8000+ feet of Vail the next day. 

 On Sunday we visited the Denver Botanical Gardens and we thought it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours.  Well worth the time and money.denver- gardens

On Sunday we drove through the mountains to Vail.  It’s about an hour & a half trip and it may be the most beautiful hour & a half road trip ever!  The mountains were gorgeous and awe inspiring. 

Jason had a conference in Vail (nothing like a mostly free vacation!) and it was our first time there.  This was the view when we walked out of our hotel in the village…

vail village

Not a great photo, but I didn’t really take many pictures in the village because I took so many of the surroundings.  Because I was still on east coast time I was up and out before many of the stores opened (this NEVER happens) and walked around where scenes like this greeted me… 

vail mountains

Jason worked business hours, but that left me with mornings of walking and reading and taking way too many pictures and afternoons in the wine bar with my book and a wonderful bartender, Melinda.  When I asked her what she liked to read she pulled a Philippa Gregory book from under the bar.  Thanks for the company, Melinda!

I had a great trip and understand why they call this part of the US God’s Country.  I had a fantastic time.  Here’s one more picture from Betty Ford Park…

vail- bf river

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

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Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Series #15) by Janet Evanovich: Book CoverFinished 8-6-09, rating 3/5, fiction, pub. 2009

Book 15 in the Stephanie Plum series

I’d been hoping to find my apartment dark and deserted.  I loved Ranger’s apartment, but it wasn’t home.  Looking up  at my windows, I wasn’t sure that was home, either.  I’m in limbo, I thought.  My whole friggin’ life is in limbo.

Chapter 12

Stephanie Plum is back for another round as a Trenton bounty hunter.  She is single again, after having a fight with Morelli about peanut butter and Ranger is looking as yummy as ever.  Lula witnesses a beheading and is being hunted by murderers, albeit bad ones.  Lula and Grandma Mazur are entering a cooking contest and many mishaps ensue.  And Stephanie’s mom has decided to fix her up with men she meets in the supermarket.

I’ll start with the things I liked.  Evanovich knows how to write funny books.  The scene with Stephanie in the hot dog costume had me laughing out loud.  And even though the book does not wrap it up with a bow it does seem like Stephanie has made a choice between her two hot men.  Of course, that does not mean that she will do anything about it, which moves us right into my dislikes.

I chose the quote from the book because that is how I feel about this series.  I’m all for zany and funny and ridiculous things that would never happen in real life, but after 15+ books there needs to be some growth.  Stephanie has lost some appeal for me because she complains about her lot in life, seems unhappy with her job, apartment… but she never actually does anything about it.  She never seems to make any choices. 

As for the actual story itself, I did find it funny in parts, but the emphasis on juvenile humor -farts, big penises, diarrhea- did get a little tiresome. 

I know I’ve read lots of good reviews for this one, but it was just more of the same for me and I want something new and fresh or some growth for Stephanie.  So, I’m really going to do it this time, I’m taking my name off the Stephanie Plum holds at the library.