MFA Reading

By the end of this year, I will be one of the most well read people you know (and I know).  This isn’t a challenge that I just decided to do.  Looking into the MFA programs, many of the schools list reading list (or suggested) reading lists.  The books range from one of the first novels The Tale of Genji written in the 11^th century up until recent 21^st century fare.

I’ve read some of the books on the list, and I don’t have to read them all. Only 2 from here or 5 from here, but for one school alone, I will have to read 35 of these books.  I will not apply to schools until the end of this year and if I get an interview, that won’t be until early 2016, but I will have to get through many of these books. 

I thought I read pretty widely, but it turns out, I don’t.  It was sad for me to see how many books on the list I did not read.  I just skimmed the list and perhaps out of 200 books, I’ve read 15.  I will be reading things that are sitting on everyone’s TBR lists but are never read.  Most of these were not on my TBR list as of late.  They were at one time or another, but then I decided I wasn’t going to read any more classics. Well I guess never say never.

I have to read books from the UK, Americas and other countries.  From 18^th and 19^th centuries and the 20^th century.  Books such as Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe, The Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope and Moby Dick by Herman Melville (kill me now).

Thankfully I made it through three books by Joyce this past summer (including Ulysses). But with those, I had a lot of help from my advisor/professor.  These books, I’ll have to rely on my brain.

I am looking forward to reading some of these books and some I’ve never heard of but sound interesting.  The “RUSSIANS” are on the list, but I doubt I’ll get to or through War & Peace, as The Tale of Genji is also over 1,000 pages.  I don’t think I can do two of those in one year. 

I have to read 35 books in all, I will be happy if I read 20 of them and I’ll be happier if I really understand 10 of them.

All this while I’m working full time, going to school full time, writing my manuscript for the MFA program, writing my personal statements for five schools and trying to get my own reading done.

I’ve decided I’m not going to worry about it too much.  I will make a conscious effort to read books from the list, and whatever I finish, I finish.  I don’t anticipate being done with the list by March 2016, but hopefully by the time I enter the program (keeping fingers crossed) I will be done.

If I don’t make it into the MFA program, well, at least I will have the bragging rights.

So if you come across my currently reading lists on goodreads, and wonder why in the world I’m trying to read Heart of Darkness and The Age of Innocence at the same time, remember this post.

Currently reading:  To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (20^th Century English)

October Reads

Although October is not over, I don't think there will be much more reading.  As it is October, I've read some Horror. I usually don't read horror books (outside of Stephen King) during the year.  I read everything else. 

Bird Box by Josh Malerman ★★★★
Creatures have invaded the earth, there are a few survivors.  They must not look at the creatures so they live in isolation, blindfolded.  Will there be anyone left?

When I read about this book, I thought it might be interesting, it definitely sounded different.  And this Josh Melerman is a musician, not a writer.  This was a solid effort.





 Insomnia by Stephen King ★★

Ralph Roberts used to be an ordinary guy - until insomnia robbed him of sleep. Now he's no longer ordinary - he can see horrible things happening to the people of Derry, Maine. He can see how, one by one, they are turning into monsters straight from hell. (Goodreads.com)

I plan to read every Stephen King book.  It was this books turn. I didn't like it.  I didn't think it was scary, I thought it was too long and all over the place.  I didn't care about the protagonist.  Not a stellar effort for the King of Horror.




The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving ★★★

You know, Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman, nothing new here.

I don't recall reading this one, not even as a kid.  I knew the story, but it was nice to listen to the audio book.  Lots of imagery in this.  I enjoyed it.  Not very scary, toward the end is when the action starts, but that is an acceptable storytelling tactic.  Nice to read something that doesn't dwell on death and gore through the entire book.




The Troop by Nick Cutter  ★★★★

Boy scouts and their Troop leader are camping.  A stranger with a shocking appearance comes along.  No boy scout could ever be prepared for what was about to happen.

Unlike The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this book is full of gore and death.  However, it is compelling.  There is some animal cruelty issues mentioned that animal lovers seem to have a problem with.  I'd like to think I'm pretty jaded and have seen/heard/read it all, but some of this stuff had me squirming.  This is in the realm of Psychological Horror.  Although it is not the usual thing I read (because of the excessive gore) this book was well done, and very readable.


CURRENTLY READING

Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

Halloween, 1963. They call him the October Boy, or Ol’ Hacksaw Face, or Sawtooth Jack. Whatever the name, everybody in this small Midwestern town knows who he is. How he rises from the cornfields every Halloween, a butcher knife in his hand, and makes his way toward town, where gangs of teenage boys eagerly await their chance to confront the legendary nightmare. Both the hunter and the hunted, the October Boy is the prize in an annual rite of life and death.  (Goodreads.com)

 

August

Summer is coming to an end.  I had all of August to read whatever I want (and no school assigned books).  Here is what I read (and their place in my book count for the year):

61. Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok 8/5/14 ✰✰✰
62. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 8/5/14 ✰✰✰✰
63. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 8/6/14 ✰✰✰✰
64. Writers and Their Notebooks by Diana M. Raab 8/12/14 ✰✰✰
65. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 8/13/14 ✰✰✰✰
66. The Care and Management of Lies by Jacqueline Winspear 8/15/14 ✰✰✰✰
67. Cavewomen Don't Get Fat: The Paleo Chic Diet ... by Esther Blum 8/19/14 ✰✰✰✰
68. Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican 8/26/14 ✰✰✰
69. Perfect Peace by Daniel Black 8/27/14 ✰✰✰✰✰

Although August isn't done, I think that this will be it.  I'll try to finish one book I'm working on, but this is the holiday weekend, lots to do.

* * *

I have started the Paleo Diet.  I started on August 9, 2014.  It has been 20 days, and a short vacation in between.  I've lost 10 lbs.  With very little exercise and I'm not hungry.   I need to lose between 35 and 50 lbs. It is a big spread I know, but I'm not sure where my normal weight is these days.  So if I don't get to the 50lbs.  I will know that my base weight is higher than it had been when I was in my 30s.  I have no time frame, but I hope by next summer, I'll be there (or close).

* * *

My sister-in-law (former) got married this weekend.  We traveled down to North & South Carolina for it.  People in South Carolina are so nice and slow.  I'm not used to that.  Here is my post about it on Facebook:

My impressions of South Carolina: I couldn't live here, why? The people are too nice, it is unsettling. I am a New Yorker to the core. Don't talk to me, don't wave to say hi, keep it moving. I realized I should be thrilled there are nice people in the world with manners, but I am a product of my environment. The people are lovely, I am not. Now I understand why people think NYers are rude. It is the culture. We are not rude, we are just living in a different reality!

I truly believe it.  They were very sweet people, helpful, waved hello everywhere, good mornings all around.  But I'm from New York.  You keep your head in your book/newspaper/phone.  You don't speak to people you don't know.  You NEVER offer anyone a lift.  You don't escort them around JC Penney to make sure they can find what they need!!

What the Store workers think they are doing:

What New Yorkers feel like the Store workers are doing:

Every day in the South, people are friendly.  The acknowledge your existence:

No! I'm not used to that.  Every day in New York, people invade your space and don't acknowledge you are there:

I'm not complaining about New York.  For my entire life, this is what I know.
But it was an experience.  One I wouldn't like to experience daily, but nevertheless, it was one for the books.

Books

I am currently in the middle of my summer session.  I'm on the last James Joyce book Ulysses. I was told it was difficult, but it is very difficult, and I'm not enjoying it. There is supposed to be a story there, but I cannot follow the thread.  However, this hasn't stopped my reading of other books.

I just finished Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.  Not at the top of the list of favorites.  The story seemed to drag until the end.  Not sure this type of thriller/suspense is his thing.  I understand this is the first part of a trilogy.  Not sure where this would go from here.  But the prolific Mr. King will keep writing stories for us to enjoy or not.  All we need to do is sit back and wait.

I am currently reading  Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng. 

Various

Nanowrimo

November is Nanowrimo.  I haven’t completed a Nano in about 3 years.  I had done it for many years before that and finished, but I don’t know what happened.  This year I’m going to finish.  I will post updates about that here.

Right now I’m in research mode.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to write a fictional account of my uncle’s death.  It is not going to be about my uncle’s death per se, rather the aftermath.  I wasn’t born when he died (1962), but I obtained details from my mother about the death.

One of the true aftermath’s of his death was me (not going in the novel). If he didn’t die, my mom would have married him instead of his brother, I wouldn’t be here as me, I’d be someone else LOL!

Reading

As I mentioned in my last post, I will be reading shorter books until the end of the year.  I just finished up “The Omen” by David Seltzer.  I know that the movie(s) were graphic, the newer one was more graphic than the original, but I feel that this book is even more graphic. It could be my imagination. Maybe it has something to do with reading it.  My next book is “Psycho” by Richard Block.  I have a lot of things to read, but I’m trying not to over load myself.  I think some books are coming in from the Library, so not sure what is up next.

Movies (TV and Theater)

I saw “Sinister”.  It is a good horror film, but I wasn’t as scared as some other movies I’ve seen in the past.  “Insidious” and “Possession” were scarier for me.  I was talking with Michelle / The True Book Addict, about this.  I was saying I think horror films are subjective.  Whatever we are most afraid of will scare us most on the screen, even if the fears are deep routed.  If my daughter saw a spider in any movie she’d run out of the theater.  The subject matter in “Insidious” and “Possession” are some ‘issues’ that I have.  “Sinister” did bring up those ‘issues’, so although I could see how it could scare some, it doesn’t scare me.

Who saw “Steel Magnolias” on Lifetime? I wasn’t sure why it was remade for the small screen, but it has been years since I’ve watched it, so I went ahead.  It was really good.  All the actresses were on point.  Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Condola Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard played their parts to perfection.  Now I have to go back and watch the original to see how closely they followed.  From what I remember, it was identical.

TV Shows

I’m watching “Upstairs, Downstairs – Season 2” on Masterpiece Classics.  We are picking up where we left off last year.  We are now being plunged into WW II.  If anyone is watching it, I just want to say that Percy is a B****. She needs to fall off of a cliff.  I also do not like Mr. Amajad, I liked him more last season.

I started watching “World Without End”.  I didn’t know it was even coming on. Actually I didn’t even know it existed until Michelle / True Book Addict, mentioned it.  Hopefully I will like it, it is hard to tell at this point since I only watched about 30 minutes of it. So fingers crossed.

Bummed that they pushed “Whitney” back. It was supposed to come back on October 19^th, however that show and “Community” were pushed to an unknown date.  No real explanation given, but I suspect they are waiting for a sweep. Because let’s face it, some of this junk on TV really shouldn’t be there. 

“American Horror Story” is back.  I haven’t watched it yet, but it doesn’t matter.  The show is a hit. I will watch that one tonight with my daughter.

My daughter is making me watch “The Mindy Project”.  I don’t like this show. I don’t like Mindy, she is an annoying, whiney, man-hunting, spinster….sorry.

And the rest of my watch list:

2 Broke Girls, 2 and a Half Men, Revolution, The New Normal, Bones, Guys With Kids, Project Runway, Grimm, New Girl, Glee.

My Reading for the Remainder of 2012

At the time of this writing I have read 75 books out of the 85 I had planned.  I'm ahead of schedule.  I will no doubt finish my goal with no problem.  I didn't have a reading plan when I started at the beginning of this year, and now that the year is almost over, it seems silly to have any goals, but I have a few to make the last 3 months go off without a hitch.

1.  For November only:  Read Books that are 300 pages or less.  Preferably 200 pages or less.  This is because I plan to participate in Nanowrimo, and my reading time will be taken up with writing time and I want to make sure I can finish a few books in November.

2.  I am doing an alphabetical title challenge on Goodreads.  I need to read 3 more books.  The letters I need are Q, U & V.  I need to read these before December 31st.

3.  Any audiobooks will be 6 hours or less.  

4.  Balance Christmas reading.  Last year I read a lot, but I didn't read much else during December. I like Christmas books, but I will not read as many this year as last year (I say that now).

5.  No more non-fiction (except the one Christmas Non-fiction book I have planed), for the rest of the year.  Non-Fiction dominated my reading this year.  Time to put it to bed.

I think these are 5 doable goals.

I will be posting my reading goals for 2013 in a few days.  As well as some ideas for keeping up with my journals / writers notebooks.

Gearing up for October, November and December

Lately I've been on a non-fiction kick. I read 10 non-fiction books in a row.  Only one of them was a re-read.  They are all of a Metaphysical nature.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle
The Moses Code by James Twyman
The Essential Spontaneous Fulfillment by Deepak Chopra
Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Isaiah Effect by Gregg Braden
The Dark Side of Light Chasers by Debbie Ford
Learned Optomism by Martin P. Seligman
Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden

I'm pretty much done with this topic, I have one or two more waiting to read, but I'm otherwise done for now.

October is reserved for some Horror reads
November and December are reserved for Holiday reads.  I searched for some Thanksgiving novels, because I don't usually see those. I found a few.

A Winter's Tale is Richard Paul Evan's new Christmas book for 2012. So of course that one is on the list.

And of course I'll be watching the Horror movies in October and the Holiday movies in November and December.  More on that later.

Reading Challenge Stats & Movie Stats so far this year

So far I've read 4 books this year. My goal is 85.  All of these books were non-fiction.  I had promised myself that I would not be reading a lot of non-fiction this year, but all I've read were non-fiction books. The Inflammation-Free Diet Plan Monica Reinagel Change Your Brain, Change Your Body Daniel Amen The Inflamation Syndrome Jack Challem Confessions of a Reformed Dieter A.J. Rochester
I've watched 21 movies so far this year. 3 Foreign films 2 Theater Movies 7 Documentaries 1 Classic film 7 Recent films 1 80s film Seems like I am being well rounded. I'm not trying to do it, but it is good to see I am.  Although I am missing a period piece, but I've been watching "Downton Abbey-Season 2" which of course is amazingly good.

Holiday Movies / Books

Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks. Time sure does fly. I have not even started my Christmas shopping yet, although I’m not buying many things.  My daughter is getting a laptop (her last one died), my son just clothes and money and I don’t know what I’m getting mom this year.  I buying my friend a book and her kids get gift cards. That’s it, I’m done. I have little money.

I am currently reading “11/22/63” by Stephen King. I downloaded it to my NOOK yesterday for $16.99. I cannot believe the hardcover is $35.  WOW! It is too big to carry around so I didn’t mind spending the $16.99.  I usually don’t buy books over $9.99, however, I knew this one was coming out months ago, so I made sure I allotted money for this.

I’ve been watching my holiday movies.

Mistletoe over Manhattan on the Hallmark Channel.

This was a nice, modern day movie.  Of course it wouldn’t be complete without Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf.  Nice family friendly film.  Mrs. Claus intervenes to bring two people on the brink of divorce back together. Can she help them recapture the Christmas Spirit?

Love’s Christmas Journey on the Hallmark Channel.

Jeanette Oke’s Christmas story.  I am not sure if this is part of her “Love’s Series” or  not. I don’t recognize the characters, however, it is still a great family film.  2 parts, 4 hours, so make sure, if you do watch it, you see both parts. 

Recently widowed Ellie visits her brother Aaron and his two children during the Christmas holidays.

Of course there is way more to it than this, but you’ll have to watch.

By The Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)

Starring Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, based on stories by Booth Tarkington.

Let me just preface by saying this is a musical and it is not a Thanksgiving or Christmas movie per se.

Marjorie’s boyfriend William returns from the Army after WWI.  They have an on-again, off-again romance. There are other family crisis going on, but it is mostly caused by Marjorie’s younger brother’s wild imagination.

Very light hearted and fun ‘Winter’ movie.  There is a Thanksgiving scene, which is funny. This movie takes place during the Winter months. 

One thing that did confuse me about this movie is the synopsis reads he is returning from WWI, however, when you watch it, the clothes seem to suggest a later period (1930s or early 1940s).

However, there is a horse drawn carriage, so I guess it is post WW I.  It is a very  charming ‘Currier and Ives’ scene that leads to another ‘Currier and Ives’ scene on an ice skating pond.

So if you are in to Classic movies (in Technicolor) and not in the mood for a full blown Christmas movie, this one would be a good choice. But you have to like music, because they break out in song.

I finished my 1^st Holiday Book.

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

A modern retelling of the Prodigal Son.  Luke Crisp is heir to a multi-million dollar Copy Center franchise.  His father wants his son to take over the company when he retires. Luke has other plans.  His father reluctantly gives Luke his Trust Fund, and what does Luke do with it?  Well if you know the story of the Prodigal Son, then you will know. 

Luke soon learns who his friends are and that good people come in all shape, sizes and colors.

Good people are usually taken advantage of, but good people are the ones who help out the most. Luke is ‘Good People’.

Richard Paul Evans writes a Christmas Story every year.  It doesn’t revolve around Christmas.  It usually starts around one Christmas and ends around another Christmas. It could be the following year or 10 years later, one never knows.

This is a fantastic addition to his Christmas Collection.  It is a quick read, like most Christmas stories, but packs a huge message.

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Of course, I usually give his books that.

I will probably not read my next Christmas book until December. I am reading Stephen King’s book as I mentioned and oddly enough I have another time travel book in the library.

A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler.

This is a children’s book, but I loved the synopsis, so I wanted to read it.

Jenni Green’s family vacation has finally arrived! Even though she has to deal with her annoying little brother, her slightly overbearing dad, and her very pregnant mom, she gets to spend a week with her bestest friend in the world, Autumn. But twelve-year-old Jenni’s world turns upside down when she takes an old elevator to visit Autumn and discovers that everything has changed: not only is her friend in a different condo, but tragedy has struck Autumn’s family, Jenni’s mother has had her baby, and everyone is a year older. When Jenni realizes that the elevator caused her to skip a whole year, she tries to go back, but soon finds that fixing things won’t be as easy as pressing a button. How can she alter the past and keep her family and Autumn’s from falling apart?


And if anyone is questioning why I’m reading a book for children 9 – 12, I will just say…Because I can!

Hey, I had a Blogiversary

I just realized that my Blogiversary was on August 6th*. It has been 2 years since this blog was up and running.  Since then I've had some heavy posting months and some light (non) posting months.  Not including this post, I've posted 338 posts since then.  My heaviest year was 2009 and it was extra heavy since I didn't start until August, however, I'm at 94 (95 plus this one) for this year, so I can easily surpass 132 by December.


*August 6th would have been my 12th year wedding anniversary to my 2nd husband.  And on that day my ex had the nerve to try to friend me on Facebook! He's an idiot...anyway...


* * *


I have only watched 174 movies this year (42 of them were Christopher Walken Movies), this has been a slow year for me, and that is pretty sad since I didn't work full time from January until the end of May, and now I can maybe get 4 movies in a week, if I'm lucky.


* * *


Read thus far = 40 books.  I'm on target to read 50 for the year, but I am behind as well as compared to previous years. However, I've read some great books this year.


The Help (the best one this year) - Kathryn Stockett
Heaven is For Real - Todd Burpo
Miles to Go - Richard Paul Evans
Room - Emma Donoghue
A Child Called 'It' - David Peltzer
Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin
Imaginary Jesus - Matt Mikalatos

And I am planning to read some more great books before the year end.

Books and May Movies

I've not had time to post.  My temp job is keeping me busy, but I'm not complaining.


I've been reading more now that I'm traveling.

I've finally read this book. For years I've been looking at it. It isn't a very long book but for some reason it didn't appeal to me. I was highly disgusted by the treatment of David as a child. And I suppose I need to read the rest of his books to find out what was up with his mother. I am thinking she had mental issues, but he never confirmed that, just that she was a drunk.


I haven't read many books about child abuse, but out of those I've read, this was by far, the most graphic.


I am currently reading Pride and Prejudice...FINALLY.  I've seen all the movie adaptations and love the story.  I've never read anything by Jane Austen, I don't know why. I've read the Bronte Sisters, Edith Wharton, George Elliot, but never Jane.


I have no review for it, because the story is so well known.  I do like it and it is surprisingly an easy read.  I'll get to her other books soon. I have Emma and Sense and Sensibility on my Nook, so they will be read soon.

I am listening to this on audio.  18 hours of it.  Very entertaining.  Each character reads a chapter.  We get to hear different voices every few chapters which keeps the book from getting monotonous.  I have it in paperback too, but I really wanted to listen as I heard it was really great. So far I agree.


 
Some Movies I've watched in May worth noting were:


Thor - I've heard mixed reviews. Some liked it, some thought it was lame. I was in the first group. I liked the guy who played Thor (very handsome) and a very good choice. However, I thought the story was 'sweet'. Yes that is the word I would use. It was fun. I didn't see it in 3D, but I can't see why it needed to be in 3D anyway.


A Perfect Getaway - This was out in 2009 I believe. I had it on my DVR since October last year. I couldn't watch it when my daughter was home, because she doesn't like horror/thrillers. And I read that Chris Hemsworth (THOR) was in it. But I didn't realize Timothy Olyphant was also in it, and had a main role. Well, needless to say, I enjoyed it!


That's What I Am - I never heard of this 2011 movie. I watched it on instant watch (Netflix). It is a coming of age movies that took place in the early 60s in some small American town. A 12 year old boy is paired to do a project with an unpopular classmate. Will a friendship develop? And the sub-plot surrounds a popular male teacher who learns a rumor that he is a homosexual is flying around the school. Will this jeopardize his career? (remember 1960s). Oh yeah, and there is a pretty and popular young girl. This was a very good film. I think it was straight to video and starred Ed Harris.

Game of Thrones

I have finally finished the book. It took me so long to read it. But now that I'm working daily, I can read it on the train.

Although the movie rushes through some scenes or omits them completely, I think it is a pretty good adaptation.  I want to read the next installment, but I want to wait a while and read some other things.

I've been so busy, I haven't watched many movies. This week I'm catching up on all the season finales.

House - Was pretty interesting, has me wondering what next season will bring.
Bones - That was a shocker.
Glee - Kind of was anti-climatic.
AI - Scotty won (big shock).

Didn't watch the finale of the Borgas yet.  I'll give my thoughts on that when I do watch it, probably this weekend.

Didn't watch The Biggest Loser finale either. Don't know who won. Will watch that this weekend too.

(C) Clarissa

I always liked the name Clarissa, I thought it was so pretty and feminine. I had a friend in High School (still is a friend) and her name is Clarissa. No surprise I named my daughter that. As a Child/Teenager I didn't read much, so I didn't know there were any books with this name in it. As an adult, long after my Clarissa was born, I discovered that there were a few.

Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

A novel by Samuel Richardson, published in 1748. It is said to be the longest real novel in the English language. In short, the book is a tragic story of Clarissa whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family. I never read this book, but of course, I have seen the BBC adaptation. It was a mini series from 1991 starring Sean Bean and Saskia Wickham. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Clarissa Dalloway is the main character. The novel's story is of Clarissa's preparations for a party of which she is to be hostess. With the interior perspective of the novel, the story travels forwards and back in time and in and out of the characters' minds to construct an image of Clarissa's life and of the inter-war social structure.

I didn't even know this until I watched The Hours. Where they jump back and forth between the three main characters. Virginia Woolf (1923) who wrote Mrs. Dalloway, Laura Brown (1951) who reads Mrs. Dalloway and Clarissa Vaughan (2001) who is the embodiment of Mrs. Dalloway.

10 things about books and you

Weekly Geeks

The idea is simple. Tell us ten things about you with regard to books and reading. Let your imagination run wild!

For instance: New or old? Hard back or soft? One or lots at a time? Bookmarks or not? What genres? What authors? Favorites? Habits? Stuff you like. Stuff that bugs you.

I think you get the idea. You don't necessarily need to use my thoughts above of course. Those are just to get you started. And when you are done, we should be able to get a nice big picture of your reading/bookish personality.

Have fun with this! Be creative! Then be sure to visit around to other participants to see how you compare to everyone else's bookish personalities.

Mark, get set, GO!

1. New or old? - I usually read new books, even the classics I have are new re-prints. However, I am not opposed to reading an older book. I have quite a few with ripped spines and yellow pages. Library sales are the greatest place for getting older books. But it is uneven.

2. One or lots at a time? - I'm a manic reader. Most of the time it is more than one.
They are usually different. Most of the time I read one fiction and one non-fiction

3. Classics or Contemporary? Both. I go into my phases. Sometimes all I want to read are classics, others more modern stuff. If I read through my spread sheet I'm pretty sure that I am an even split between those two.

4. What genres? - I read a lot of genres. I tend to read a lot of non-fiction and in those genres I would read about health, metaphysics, nutrition, memoirs.... and as far as fiction, I read everything but Westerns (unless it is Stephen King), and Urban. I am reading my first Erotica book right now. It is an interesting genre. Of course I'm reading it from a writer stand point, so it is purley research!! :D

5. How many? - It has slowed. I was doing 1 a week at one point, but now it is more like 2 books every 15 days or so.

6. Books or e-reader? - Both! I can't afford to buy all the books I want, so I often borrow from the library. Some books I want in hard copy because I want my kids to read it or I want to own it.

7. Women or Men? I keep a spreadsheet, so looking back I tend to read more male authors, although a lot of them are repeat authors. I don't do it consciously, it is just the way the cards fell.

8. Just how often during the day do you read? - Not as much as I'd like. When I'm going to work or taking the subway/bus somewhere, I read on those. When I'm home, I usually don't read much. Before bed I do, if I'm doing my laundry I do. When I'm home I tend to watch a lot of movies, write, or practice my guitar. Being home tends to lessen my reading.

9. Research or blind? Most of the time, I research the books I want to read. I'm not talking indepth research, just maybe reading some reviews will help me make up my mind.

10. Do you use the Library? - Again, not as much as I used to. When I was working full time, I was in the library 2 or 3 times a week, the people know my name and library card number. They'd just go pull them off of the shelf before I got to the counter. But I still do use it.

UPDATE

It is January 20th and I have so far managed to keep my New Year’s Resolution of de-cluttering and staying that way. It is a long journey, my house is very cluttered. I am almost done with my bedroom, only a few more areas to attack such as my closet and drawers. The next room I plan to tackle is the Living-room. This room needs an overhaul, so that will take a month at least.

I did manage to clean the coat closet in my foyer. That was serving as a ‘junk’ closet. The ‘junk’ that was in there was old electronic devices (mostly). TVs, VCRs…etc. I don’t know why I was holding on to them, I suppose I was hoping I could fix them one day, but much of that stuff is over 5 years old.

I also am planning to thin out my book shelf. Yes guys, I will be giving away my books. I was thinking of sending the paperbacks that are in good condition to the prison libraries, and the hardcovers I’ll send to Catholic Charities, maybe they can sell them.

I will soon post pictures of my newly de-cluttered spaces.

I am behind on my reading, I’m only on my 2nd book of the month. “The Given Day” by Dennis Lehane, which I’ve been reading since December. I’m over the ½ way mark, and hope to finish it by next week, because I have another book waiting. “The Warmth of Many Suns”, is a non-fiction book about the African-American migration from the South to the North during the early part of the 20th century. I’m interested in this subject because my grandmother migrated. This book highlights 3 different people and their experiences. After that, I’ll probably read “The Help” as a movie is due out in August, and I also want to read “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua. I got a lot of high hopes. I am concentrating on reading many of my shelved books. During my cleaning I found some books that I forgot I bought. Other than stuff on my Kindle (that I might purchase) I will not buy any more physical books until I read some that I have. How am I supposed to de-clutter?

Movie watching as only slowed a bit. This week and next I’m working long hours, but I’ve caught some stuff prior to this week. I saw “The Green Hornet” what a great film. I loved Jay Chuo, who played Kato. I have to say, he blew Seth Rogen out of the water. It was campy, funny, action packed. I highly recommend it. Even if you are not familiar with “The Green Hornet” you will love this movie. There is no pre-existing knowledge required.

I also saw “Season of the Witch”. The critics panned it, but I thought it was OK. I’ll give it 3 out of 5 stars. It took an interesting turn, and I like period pieces. The acting was pretty good.

On DVD I got to see:

The Town – What is all the hype about? It was an OK movie, nothing to spectacular or extraordinary. Acting was good, but it was kind of slow for a movie about bank robbers. 3 out of 5.

Winter’s Bone – This one was up for a Globe as well. OMG…boring! It is labeled as a film noir, but it was a film snore. 2 out of 5

Toy Story 3 – I was going to pass this one up, but my son was home for Christmas break and he said he’d like to see the 3rd installment, as he remembers 1 and 2 and really liked them. So for my 19 year old son, I rented it. It was pretty good as far as sequels go. I can see why this one was up for an award. 4.5 out of 5

Case 39 – My friend Patrick said the little girl in this movie reminded him of my daughter. He said she looked like her, I didn’t see the resemblance. However, I did like this movie. This is what a Thriller should be; enough suspense to keep you interested, but not cheesy or gory. 4 out of 5.

The Kids are All Right – Another Globe nominated movie. I think Annette Bening won for Best Actress. It also stared Julianne More and Mark Ruffalo (yum). Good drama, good pace, good story, good nude shots of Mark…ahem. 4 out of 5.

City Island - Since I'm from The Bronx, this was a must watch, and it was up for a Globe as well. Starring Andy Garcia as a married working man who lives with his wife and kids in City Island in the Bronx. Typical dysfunctional family but with funny and touching moments. Andy works in at a prison and he discovers his son is an inmate. The son does not know that this guard is his father. Vince (Andy's character) takes his son home on a month trial probabtion. It all takes off from there. 4 out of 5.

You Don’t Know Jack – One of the TV movies up for a Globe. About Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s activities during the 80s. If you don’t remember him, he was also known as Dr. Death. Al Paccino played him exceptionally well. 4 out of 5.

Temple Grandin – Another bio-pic that was a TV movie and it was also up for a Globe. About autistic woman Temple Grandin who single handedly created a humane system that would allow cattle ranchers to safely process the cattle without loss of cows and money. The first part of the movie dealt with how Temple grew up and went to college. The second half deals with the way she was treated as an autistic adult. Inspirational movie. 4 out of 5.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

January 2011 has finally arrived. This year has not been that great. I lost my job, still haven't found another. I lost 3 childhood friends, the last one died on December 29th and one of my favorite singers died on December 26th (Teena Marie).

I have managed to only read 55 books this year. A slow down as I did not have travel time to read. You would think that being home would give me oodles of time to read, but no such luck, I seemed to have found other things to do.

I've watched 345 movies this year. I watched 349 last year, you would think I would have watched more since I've been home for months and months, but no such luck there either. I don't know why my consumption was lower, but I suppose my movie watching is average for me. That is almost 1 movie a day.

My first movie of 2011 will probably be TRON, as I am planning to see it in 3D today.

My New Years resolutions this year will be:

1) to lose weight (as usual)
2) to declutter my home and keep it that way. I am starting with my room. It is small, it is cluttered and it needs to be cleaned. I am home, so I might as well.

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year.

Happenings

Hi everyone, I wanted to give an update.

I am currently working at a temp job in a cool Adverstising firm in Midtown. It is Long Term, but not sure how Long Term it is. The people are really nice, the work is easy but interesting, and my boss is a lovely woman. So right now, I'm happy!

* * *

Our choir entered a contest at NBC Today. Me and my friend Liz ran around trying to get this on a disc and sent off to the show before the deadline. My daughter took the video. Here is our little group (most everyone is there) and we are singing "Ave Verum Corpus" Elgar's version. I never really heard us before, we sound pretty damn good!


If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm the tall one in the center. I'm not really that tall, it is just that everyone else is below average in height. LOL!

* * *

October is almost over, and I have not read "Dracula" yet. Screw it! I will just read it whenever. I didn't read "The Exocist" yet either, and I purposly bought the book to read this month. But I will read this soon too. OK, maybe not until next January, because November is Nanowrimo, and at the moment I'm reading writing books, and "The Neville Reader". Once I'm finished with those, it is on to Christmas Reading. I have on my to read list "An Amish Christmas" as per Wendy.

October also means the end of the Horror movie fest. I've watched quite a bit of interesting stuff this month. Lots of Vincent Price, some Asian Horror and some recent stuff. I usually end up watching the Horror stuff until the 2nd week of November, because there is just so much. My daughter doesn't watch much of it with me, just the Vincent Price type stuff. Movies like "Halloween" and the like, she hides in the room. I did finally watch "Les Yeux Sans Visage" (Eyes Without a Face). It has been on my DVR for 2 years! My reaction....eh. It was OK. I mean it was from 1959, and it had a good creepy atmosphere, but I don't know if it is the cinematic masterpiece everyone says it is. 3 out of 5 stars for me.

Once I'm done with the Horror, it is right into Holiday movies, which there seem to be no shortage of. One would thing I would have a hard time finding new stuff to watch, but nope. I will have a list this year as well. Not as much as last year, but a few things that might interest.

Speaking of Holiday's, I got my tickets for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. You would think the fact that I live in New York City, I should be at this show every year, but this will be my first time in the 43 years I've been on this earth that I am going. My daughter has been after me for years, but it turns out, when the season comes, I'm strapped. Not so much this year, considering I don't have a steady job. But it will be just me and her, so the tickets were not that expensive. In the past, I would have had to pay for 4 tickets, but Mark is not interested (he will be around, it is Thanksgiving weekend that we are going), but I think he'd bop me on the head if I said "Let's go!". My mom is unemployed so she isn't coming, and she wouldn't let me buy her a ticket either. I hope I can get some good shots. We are on the 2nd Mezz off to the left, my camera lens is up to 200mm, we'll see.

Update - 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

1. Dragonfly in Amber - Diane Gabaldon
2. Nigger: An Autobiography - Dick Gregory
3. Doubt: A Parable - John Patrick Shanley
4. Tennessee Williams Notebooks - T. Williams
5. Roses - Leila Meacham
6. Push - Sapphire
7. The Walk - Richard Paul Evans
8. When The Soul Mends - Cindy Woodsmall
9. Rumble Fish - S.E. Hinton
10. The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
11. Know it All - A.J. Jacobs
12. I Am Nujood: Age 10 and Divorced - Nujood Ali
13. Island Beneath the Sea - Isable Allende
14. Stoner - John Williams
15. Bronx Accent - Lloyd Ultan
16. Why is God Laughing? - Deepak Chopra
17. Elizabeth Street - Laurie Fabiano
18. Promise Me - Richard Paul Evans

I believe my goal was 50 books from the library this year. Well, not sure if that will happen, but I will probably get to 25 books from the library. I had originally aimed high because I planned to read 100 books for the year, and 50 from the library didn't seem like it would be hard to do. However, 32 more library books in 2.5 months, nah. I have read/listened to a total of 47 books so far this year, so I will reach 50 books for the year, I will aim for 70 books by Dec. 31.

I would say I'd do better next year, however, I am planning to read books like "War & Peace", so I think next year I'll stay with 50 books, but a lot of them will be quality books.

Numbers don't matter much to me, as long as I keep reading. This year was a big year for audio books for me. I don't really know why, I suppose we all get into our moods. I just felt like hearing the soothing sounds of narration while lying in bed at night. I don't drive anymore, so I don't have a chance to listen that way. My home reading was suffering once I lost my job in July, because, although one would think I have nothing but time to read, I had time to do things I had neglected all along such as painting, practicing guitar, beading and other crafts, as well as cleaning.

I am currently working on a temporary assignment, I don't know how long, but I will be reading on the subway to and from, so I think I'll get some book reading in. I will be going to the library at lunch time too, so I'll see if I can find something fluffy to read.

My current reads/listens.

The Winds of Autumn by Jannette Oke (audio). This is the 2nd part of a 4 part series (Seasons of the Heart). The series started with Once Upon a Summer, which I loved so much (and I loved the narrator), so I got the 2nd part in audio with the same narrator. There is a male narrator for this book and a female narrator by another company. I preferred the male narrator because he sounded more down to earth. It is about a boy named Josh (now 15) who is coming of age in middle-America 1930. It is Christian fiction, as it is written by Janette Oke, an easy listen (5+ hours) and probably an easy read. I will follow with the last two books in the series: Winter is Not Forever and Spring's Gentile Promise.

The Neville Reader by Neville Goddard, is a collection of true stories about how "thoughts are things". Neville Goddard was a 20th century New Thought author. He was of the same mindset as other authors who believed in "The Law of Attraction". The stories in this book highlight how real people used their thoughts to attract what they wanted. Call it "The Law of Attraction", "Manifesting", whatever. I myself have been into this stuff for over 15 years, but this is the first time I ever read anything by Goddard, hopefully I will enjoy.

Richard Paul Evan's Latest Book

It is October, and Christmas is two months away, you know what that means don't you? It means that Richard Paul Evan's has a new Christmas book out!! Mine is in the library waiting for me. This year's offering is entitled "Promise Me".

Synopsis

"As you read my story, there is something I want you to understand. That in spite of all the pain—past, present and that still to come—I wouldn't have done anything differently. Nor would I trade the time I had with him for anything—except for what, in the end, I traded it for."

Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change.

For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life.

Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she's fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

I enjoyed last year's book The Christmas List very much. It made me cry. Most of his books do, especially his Christmas stories.

My library must think I'm nuts because everytime I learn of a new book by him, I request it. Actually this year, they got this one in without me having to bug them in July...LOL!

I will pick it up tomorrow and start reading it right away. I never wait until December to read his stuff, because then you can't get a hold of it. I always get it (or try to) the first week it arrives. It came out on October 5th.

I recommend to anyone who likes a good Christmas story. His books are not usually very long. This book is 352 pages, but it is small in size. And if you are so inclined I recommend going back over the years and reading his other books. The only Christmas story that didn't appeal to me was Grace. That was depressing.

If you find you like his stuff, you can read his non-Christmas books too. He has a few, and one recent series The Walk Series that started earlier this year.

Halloween Reads & Watches

OK, so I will attempt to read 2 horror books this month. Last year, I didn't read any horror books during the month of October.

1. Dracula - Bram Stoker
2. The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty


Last year I watched most of the movies I had planned to as well as many more. Here is the LINK to last years movie and book (that wasn't read).

This year's movies will hopefully include:

1. The Girl Next Door
2. Fright Night
3. The Exorcist (rewatch)
4. Fingerprints
5. Population 436 (watched this in September)
6. The Premature Burial
7. The William Castle Film Collection (This is a collection on DVD that includes films such as: 13 Ghosts, 13 Frightened Girls, Homicidal).

And some campy B-movie stuff with Vincent Price:

The Masque of Red Death
Dr. Phibes Rises Again
The Last Man on Earth

At least I know my daughter will watch these with me. She liked "Dr. Phibes". I'm not sure I can get her to watch the other stuff with me, she said she'd give "The Exorcist" a try.