Hello!
Hope you like the new layout. I'm pretty pleased with the new templates and advanced design capabilities from Blogger in Draft.
I chose the new loose leaf look before I even realized April is National Card and Letter Writing Month. I was just thinking how appropriate it looks: If I'd been writing reviews of books back when I was a kid, I would have done it in a notebook or journal. I've always been very comfortable writing on ruled paper. But, since it is National Card and Letter Writing Month, I'll take the design in that direction tonight and make this post a letter to you, my lovely readers.
Little Women is going well; I have only 300 pages left. I'm hoping to be finished with it by mid-April, but depending on my work schedule, it may take me until the end of the month. I don't want to give too much away for my review, but so far it's been very pleasant reading. I'm fast approaching the part where I quit reading the first time, though, and I'm hoping that won't happen to me again on the second go-around. I suppose we'll see soon enough.
Right now I'm sort of organizing more post ideas. The spring and summer are my favorite times of the year for reading, I think, as they probably are for most people. Something about being outside in the sun with a good book is just so relaxing for me. It gets me out of the bathroom, anyway. ;) I like that I can fully appreciate the laziness of summer while educating myself and keeping my mind busy at the same time. That is called two birds with one stone. Consider me a proponent.
Anyway, hope your April has been going as well as mine so far. I just wanted to check in with you and see how y'all are doing. Come back soon!
Love,
Amelia
Showing posts with label All Things New. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All Things New. Show all posts
Twilight: The Graphic Novel
This article on my Google Reader was jumping up and down to get my attention this afternoon:
"Yen Press to Release 'Twilight: The Graphic Novel' in March"
The first printing will yield 350,000 copies, and will be available on March 16 of this year. The graphic novel, being graphic, will include only selected prose from the first book of Stephenie Meyer's series. The illustrations are done by Young Kim.
The article says the book will be released in two volumes (the release date for the second is TBA).
I've only finished 3 out of 4 of the books in the Twilight saga (I was late to the party, so to keep myself in suspense, I have a rule that I will only read the paperback versions), but I think I am going to have to add this graphic novel to my ever-growing list of Books to Purchase. It will be interesting to see images put to Meyer's writing. Yes, there are the movies, but I think we can all agree that film is an entirely different art form. In addition, it seems Ms. Meyer has inserted herself very closely into the review process for the graphic novel. This leads me to believe that the end product will feel very organic.
"Yen Press to Release 'Twilight: The Graphic Novel' in March"
The first printing will yield 350,000 copies, and will be available on March 16 of this year. The graphic novel, being graphic, will include only selected prose from the first book of Stephenie Meyer's series. The illustrations are done by Young Kim.
The article says the book will be released in two volumes (the release date for the second is TBA).
I've only finished 3 out of 4 of the books in the Twilight saga (I was late to the party, so to keep myself in suspense, I have a rule that I will only read the paperback versions), but I think I am going to have to add this graphic novel to my ever-growing list of Books to Purchase. It will be interesting to see images put to Meyer's writing. Yes, there are the movies, but I think we can all agree that film is an entirely different art form. In addition, it seems Ms. Meyer has inserted herself very closely into the review process for the graphic novel. This leads me to believe that the end product will feel very organic.
Twitterature
My mind has been on Twitter a lot lately. One hundred and forty characters (INCLUDING SPACES!!!). Retweeting. SMS. Hashtags. Trending topics. Followers. For all the simplicity of Twitter, it's sometimes exhausting to think about. I don't 'tweet' as often as some. I don't always like being bombarded with status updates, and I don't like bombarding other people. If I want to receive a constant stream of information, I will call someone, or make plans to meet in person. I like to think I'm old-fashioned.
This is not to say I don't appreciate Twitter. I love hearing what my SIL is up to all the way down in Dayton at 3 pm on a Tuesday, and I love the @FakeAPStylebook guidelines my good friend from college retweets on occasion. I even enjoy following (haha) the latest headlines -- that's when I really appreciate the 140-character limit.
More and more, I am understanding the doors Twitter has opened for the lines of communication, and the standards it is setting for the future. Major companies all over the U. S. (if not the world) are using Twitter for networking purposes. Friends and family are using it to keep in touch. Remember when email got big? We were all overwhelmed by the idea of a delivery system that was so fast-paced and impersonal. But here is why I believe that Twitter is so revolutionary: not only is it breaking new ground in the way we communicate, it's keeping us comfortable at the same time.
Unlike some other social media sites, Twitter's technology is simple -- each user gets a profile and their own page to fill up with tweets. On this page you can also see tweets from those you want to stay in touch with, or follow. You can choose your own level of involvement: you can send and receive tweets on your cell phone, BlackBerry, or just stick to the web if that's what makes you happy. And Twitter is faster than even sending an email; businesses, and regular people like me, value that. I may be old-fashioned, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd prefer writing a 2-sentence update every day, rather than wracking my memory to churn out an extensive letter every month. The best part is, Twitter has that personal feel to it. The people you follow are familiar to you -- from your closest relatives to your coworkers. Or they are companies or organizations of major interest to you. And because the beauty of Twitter updates is in their brevity, it's easy to want to stay connected. There's no doubt about it, I do feel a special bond with all of my other Tweeters. It's like we're in our own little club, even though I know millions of people all have members only jackets just like mine. But I'll admit it. I do love Twitter.
But then I worry.
Have you seen this book called Twitterature? Written by two college students, Alexander Aciman and Emmett Rensin, the premise of this book is "The World's Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less." When I first heard this concept, I thought it was genius. The approach sounds hilarious, in that "Oh, man, I've got to see what this is about" sort of way. I mean, that is some love of literature, to have learned it so well that you could condense it that much...And then I see the Editorial Reviews on Amazon:
Yeah. And after seeing a fellow Shelfari user point out that "unfortunately the writers have chosen to poke fun at the novels they're condensing, in addition to...well, condensing them. Most of the jokes fall embarrassingly flat..." I guess I'm not so convinced anymore that the explosion of inspiration I imagined Twitter providing will actually transfer seamlessly to a physical paper page.
I find it curious how people need to take a communication tool and inject it into every other related mechanism that's been out there previously. Twitter is a useful tool, but I don't believe it can be molded to the expectations we have set for books. That's not what it was intended for. I can argue that Twitter is an expansion of literature, which I thought was where Aciman and Rensin were heading with Twitterature. Literature was formed, I assume, for communication -- to present ideas. I just think we should be careful when thinking about using new technology to enhance the tried and true. I must admit, it was fun to imagine the marriage of Twitter and a book. But now that I've had a chance to ponder, I realize it's like incest. You can't marry the son to the mother anymore. You end up with a child who can't even read, and then I won't have anything to blog about. Do people push books and Twitter together because deep down they fear the change? Or are they trying too hard to make the new technology even more accessible? It's a whole new world out there, and that is scary. But you know what's nice about it? It's the only one where we'll still able to stand in two places at once.
This is not to say I don't appreciate Twitter. I love hearing what my SIL is up to all the way down in Dayton at 3 pm on a Tuesday, and I love the @FakeAPStylebook guidelines my good friend from college retweets on occasion. I even enjoy following (haha) the latest headlines -- that's when I really appreciate the 140-character limit.
More and more, I am understanding the doors Twitter has opened for the lines of communication, and the standards it is setting for the future. Major companies all over the U. S. (if not the world) are using Twitter for networking purposes. Friends and family are using it to keep in touch. Remember when email got big? We were all overwhelmed by the idea of a delivery system that was so fast-paced and impersonal. But here is why I believe that Twitter is so revolutionary: not only is it breaking new ground in the way we communicate, it's keeping us comfortable at the same time.
Unlike some other social media sites, Twitter's technology is simple -- each user gets a profile and their own page to fill up with tweets. On this page you can also see tweets from those you want to stay in touch with, or follow. You can choose your own level of involvement: you can send and receive tweets on your cell phone, BlackBerry, or just stick to the web if that's what makes you happy. And Twitter is faster than even sending an email; businesses, and regular people like me, value that. I may be old-fashioned, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd prefer writing a 2-sentence update every day, rather than wracking my memory to churn out an extensive letter every month. The best part is, Twitter has that personal feel to it. The people you follow are familiar to you -- from your closest relatives to your coworkers. Or they are companies or organizations of major interest to you. And because the beauty of Twitter updates is in their brevity, it's easy to want to stay connected. There's no doubt about it, I do feel a special bond with all of my other Tweeters. It's like we're in our own little club, even though I know millions of people all have members only jackets just like mine. But I'll admit it. I do love Twitter.
But then I worry.
Have you seen this book called Twitterature? Written by two college students, Alexander Aciman and Emmett Rensin, the premise of this book is "The World's Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less." When I first heard this concept, I thought it was genius. The approach sounds hilarious, in that "Oh, man, I've got to see what this is about" sort of way. I mean, that is some love of literature, to have learned it so well that you could condense it that much...And then I see the Editorial Reviews on Amazon:
"Do you hear that? It's the sound of Shakespeare, rolling over in his grave."
--The Wall Street Journal
"Twitterature makes me want to punch someone, preferably the 'authors'. They're in Chicago. I'm gonna take a road trip..."
--@damig, Twitter
"JUst f*#%&ng shoot me now..."
--Mike C, grouchyconservativepundits.com
Yeah. And after seeing a fellow Shelfari user point out that "unfortunately the writers have chosen to poke fun at the novels they're condensing, in addition to...well, condensing them. Most of the jokes fall embarrassingly flat..." I guess I'm not so convinced anymore that the explosion of inspiration I imagined Twitter providing will actually transfer seamlessly to a physical paper page.
I find it curious how people need to take a communication tool and inject it into every other related mechanism that's been out there previously. Twitter is a useful tool, but I don't believe it can be molded to the expectations we have set for books. That's not what it was intended for. I can argue that Twitter is an expansion of literature, which I thought was where Aciman and Rensin were heading with Twitterature. Literature was formed, I assume, for communication -- to present ideas. I just think we should be careful when thinking about using new technology to enhance the tried and true. I must admit, it was fun to imagine the marriage of Twitter and a book. But now that I've had a chance to ponder, I realize it's like incest. You can't marry the son to the mother anymore. You end up with a child who can't even read, and then I won't have anything to blog about. Do people push books and Twitter together because deep down they fear the change? Or are they trying too hard to make the new technology even more accessible? It's a whole new world out there, and that is scary. But you know what's nice about it? It's the only one where we'll still able to stand in two places at once.
REVIEW: 'The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods' by Kate Inglis
Sorry I'm late, everyone.
Charming. Fresh. Enticing. Original. Slug-smackin' good time.
When my copy of The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods by Kate Inglis finally arrived, I put down Jane Eyre and delved into this new treat immediately. I have to say: this is a marvelous first novel. I have commenced picketing for the movie.
She really did a phenomenal job setting the tone of the book with the diction, and from the very first line of the prologue. I loved how each character, from Missy to Joe to Willie to Hector, all had their own spin on the quaint language of New Germany. So entertaining, just how you'd want pirates to talk -- not expect them to -- want them to talk.
In fact, what I did expect was more elusiveness on the part of the pirates. The back of the book hints at Eric's story, tracking them through the woods, using clues they've dropped from their Barrow along the way. But in fact, you get to know the pirates (and Grandpa Joe) much more intimately than you ever do Eric. And these pirates, elusive? Getting the Stewarts' peacocks and goats to get along would be an easier task. But that is what makes this book a pleasure. "Honey lessons." So perfect.
What I loved most about this book was its accessibility. It was so hard to pin down an age group for it, which in the end, who cares? That means it's great for any age, and I think that's going to lend to its success. Children, adults, and tweens can all enjoy it. I imagined my mom reading it to me when I was little. The excitment in the storyline, plus the well-developed plot, plus its length (not too short, not too long!) will also make it a great re-read for me as an adult -- something I can read while I eat a bowl of soup, or vacation, or just plain need a break from real life.
I hope there will be a sequel, but this book stands on its own. Congratulations, Kate, and thanks again for sharing the launch of your tremendous accomplishment with me.
Next Up: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte (for real this time)
Charming. Fresh. Enticing. Original. Slug-smackin' good time.
When my copy of The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods by Kate Inglis finally arrived, I put down Jane Eyre and delved into this new treat immediately. I have to say: this is a marvelous first novel. I have commenced picketing for the movie.
She really did a phenomenal job setting the tone of the book with the diction, and from the very first line of the prologue. I loved how each character, from Missy to Joe to Willie to Hector, all had their own spin on the quaint language of New Germany. So entertaining, just how you'd want pirates to talk -- not expect them to -- want them to talk.
In fact, what I did expect was more elusiveness on the part of the pirates. The back of the book hints at Eric's story, tracking them through the woods, using clues they've dropped from their Barrow along the way. But in fact, you get to know the pirates (and Grandpa Joe) much more intimately than you ever do Eric. And these pirates, elusive? Getting the Stewarts' peacocks and goats to get along would be an easier task. But that is what makes this book a pleasure. "Honey lessons." So perfect.
What I loved most about this book was its accessibility. It was so hard to pin down an age group for it, which in the end, who cares? That means it's great for any age, and I think that's going to lend to its success. Children, adults, and tweens can all enjoy it. I imagined my mom reading it to me when I was little. The excitment in the storyline, plus the well-developed plot, plus its length (not too short, not too long!) will also make it a great re-read for me as an adult -- something I can read while I eat a bowl of soup, or vacation, or just plain need a break from real life.
I hope there will be a sequel, but this book stands on its own. Congratulations, Kate, and thanks again for sharing the launch of your tremendous accomplishment with me.
Next Up: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte (for real this time)
I Did It!
Proof! I did it. I signed up for my very own library card. Luckily, I remembered to bring my utility bill. Cleveland librarians are steadfast bitches. Good reason, I suppose. At least now they know I am responsible enough to rent a place with electricity. The good news (yes, more good news!): I was able to unload all the books I've been hoarding in my car. The maintenance man there assured me they do not throw away books. If they can't use them, they find a place to donate them. I was so relieved. And I told him I'd be back with more. He looked pretty astounded.
The bad news: I waited until a half hour before my hair appointment to drive to the library, so I did not get a chance to look around and browse and check out books as I'd originally planned. What I did see I was impressed with. The inside is bright and clean, and the walls are painted in nice, crisp colors. I am going to go back tomorrow to see more. (They can't stop me now! I'm a member!) And the smell was so good. I love books.
I wish I had a more exciting story, maybe about all the death-defying feats I had to accomplish in order to get my library card. But aside from the whole prove-where-you-live thing, it was remarkably easy. People should know that. We card holders should make it our duty to spread the power. "Why don't you have a library card, June? It's so easy to get one." Hell, it's easier than walking into Blockbuster and signing up for an account there. Talk about a hassle. And millions of people have Blockbuster accounts. Hey, Blockbuster Accounters -- you can get DVDs at the library, too! AND IT'S FREE. IT'S FREE, DUMBASSES. So why don't you get a library card? I used to be a dumbass like you. But now I have a library card. I have access to books, movies, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias...you name it! And I PAY NOTHING!!! I AM LIBERATED!!! LIBRARIES RULE!!!
Just an FYI
Fidel Castro's sister, Juanita, is coming out with a book about her brothers. This is of special interest to me because my French teacher in high school was a very proud Cuban woman (can you imagine the effect a Spanish accent has on the French language? Pretty cool. It's like an uber romantic language).
My teacher would always talk about how special her homeland was to her, and how much she hated hated hated Castro for how he chose to run the country. My memory is a bit foggy, but I believe his government was ultimately the reason behind her move to America, and away from her family. Despite everything, though, she loved Cuba so much; and it will be interesting to see the perspective of another Cuban woman, also exiled from her country, regarding the long-time rule of Fidel. I would love to compare the feelings and memories of Juanita to the stories told to us by my proud, Cuban French teacher. I wonder if she would pick up a copy.
My teacher would always talk about how special her homeland was to her, and how much she hated hated hated Castro for how he chose to run the country. My memory is a bit foggy, but I believe his government was ultimately the reason behind her move to America, and away from her family. Despite everything, though, she loved Cuba so much; and it will be interesting to see the perspective of another Cuban woman, also exiled from her country, regarding the long-time rule of Fidel. I would love to compare the feelings and memories of Juanita to the stories told to us by my proud, Cuban French teacher. I wonder if she would pick up a copy.
Page 1: Welcome!
Welcome to my book blog! In this space, I plan on writing reviews (mostly my own, but possibly putting up others' as well); posting links to awesome bookish things around the city of Cleveland, where I currently reside; making lists; catching up on the roller coaster that is paperless technology; and just taking the time to celebrate the wonders of reading. I'll warn you right off the bat, my reviews will most likely not stay with current trends, because the books I tend to pick up are usually a few years dated and in paperback already. I love paperback.
About me:
I've been in love with reading for as long as I can remember. Before I was very good at it, I would memorize the books my mom read to me and act out every character's part. Once I began reading on my own, it was hard to stop. I always carried a book with me, a habit that has followed me to the present. I graduated high school thinking I should become a a novel editor. That dream stayed with me during my time at the University of Dayton, where I majored in English. The most useful information I ever learned about writing was at UD, where we read The Sense of Structure by George Gopen. From then on, I vowed to always remember my reader, and that writing is first and foremost a form of communication. Three months after I graduated college, I began work with a newswire service*, formatting and proofreading news releases before they get sent out to the media. While it's not exactly the editing I had in mind, I am very happy in my work and love the business I'm in. It's oftentimes demanding work, and I'll admit sometimes I just want to come home and veg in front of the TV rather than delve deep into some good writing. But it's pretty cool to see how the news comes to the world, starting from scratch.
So now I've created this blog! I hope it will help me to stay enamored with the written word, and I hope to spread my adoration of reading to the masses. Ok, well, I guess what I'm seriously hoping for is that the books and info on this blog will help spark some great communication and discussion. Thanks for reading!
(Speaking of reading, I've recently started The Forever War by Dexter Filkins; when you're looking for the first review, that will be it.)
*Needless to say, any comments, opinions, or statements expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and are in no way affiliated with the author's employer or its parent company.
About me:
I've been in love with reading for as long as I can remember. Before I was very good at it, I would memorize the books my mom read to me and act out every character's part. Once I began reading on my own, it was hard to stop. I always carried a book with me, a habit that has followed me to the present. I graduated high school thinking I should become a a novel editor. That dream stayed with me during my time at the University of Dayton, where I majored in English. The most useful information I ever learned about writing was at UD, where we read The Sense of Structure by George Gopen. From then on, I vowed to always remember my reader, and that writing is first and foremost a form of communication. Three months after I graduated college, I began work with a newswire service*, formatting and proofreading news releases before they get sent out to the media. While it's not exactly the editing I had in mind, I am very happy in my work and love the business I'm in. It's oftentimes demanding work, and I'll admit sometimes I just want to come home and veg in front of the TV rather than delve deep into some good writing. But it's pretty cool to see how the news comes to the world, starting from scratch.
So now I've created this blog! I hope it will help me to stay enamored with the written word, and I hope to spread my adoration of reading to the masses. Ok, well, I guess what I'm seriously hoping for is that the books and info on this blog will help spark some great communication and discussion. Thanks for reading!
(Speaking of reading, I've recently started The Forever War by Dexter Filkins; when you're looking for the first review, that will be it.)
*Needless to say, any comments, opinions, or statements expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and are in no way affiliated with the author's employer or its parent company.
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