Thursday 15 November 2007

what's happening here


An Award from Sparx: Thank you sweet girl. Since I love your blog, it is twice as sweet.

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A reading test:
I’m not at all sure what this means, but it sounds good eh? I think it means that all my lovely readers are of genius level.


Just finished watching:

American Gangster”: Denzel Washington (love him!) and Russell Crowe (good actor) I hate it when Mr. Washington is the ‘bad guy’ but as Q pointed out, “he does it so well.” Very violent, so no kiddies. If you are a fan of Mr. Washington or Mr. Crowe I would recommend it.

Five Fingers”. Laurence Fishburne (love him), Gina Torres (love her) and Ryan Phillippe (don’t care for the characters he always plays, but he does it well). This is an excellent movie with a twist for an ending that has you going, “Well of course.” I do recommend it. It is not a family film – keep the audience above 15-years I should think. It is a movie that will hopefully cause those who view it to think about the issue it addresses.

Home of the BraveSamuel Jackson (always fun to watch) Jessica Biel, Brian Presley, and Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent. A film that addresses the soldiers AFTER they come home, an issue that needs addressing I think as I read last week about the shocking number of returning soldiers (usa) who are now living on the streets! It’s very well done, not sappy but it does touch the heart. I recommend it. Again, not a movie for the children.

Just finished reading:
At Home in Mitford” by Jan Karon. This is the first in what has become a very successful series. It is written very well, and I enjoyed it until about 2/3 of the way through when I got bored. That is the death knell for any book for me. She was so invested in the characters that she didn’t give them anything interesting enough to do to hold my interest. In other words I thought they would do just as well if I left, and so I did. I recommend it for those who like their books character based.

A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines. I do not understand the popularity (won the National Book Critics Circle Aware for Fiction) of sad books set in the southern region of America before 1970. It is well written and kept me there until the end, but I knew what was going to happen and I knew I would not like it. I admit that I read the last half of the book at warp speed. I only recommend it for those who are in need of a good cry and want an outside excuse.

The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. I’m going to climb right on the bandwagon (A New York Times Bestseller) and say that this book is wonderful. Not reach up and grab you by the throat, or a mystery that needs solving – albeit she launches that possibility – but a nice steady read that will keep you there until the end, and you close it for the last time with a satisfied sigh. I recommend this one.

/Reading: “April 1865” by Jay Winkik. I picked this one up as research for my novel, but it reads like one. So far I am enjoying it.

HRH” by Danielle Steel. I picked this one up for research and it is crap. It is soooo boring. There is no real plot and the characters are one dimensional and cardboard. Yuk, I do not recommend but you can’t argue with the woman’s success; she is doing something right. That said I think I can finish it with my eyes closed.

“The Best American Short Stories 2007
” editing by Stephen King. I bought this solely because Mr. King was involved. I have so much respect for the way that man writes (not what he writes, I dislike his plots intensely). I have only read two of the stories so far, and I didn’t care for them but that’s only two.

Tomorrow! A visit to Hassan Tower. Ta da!

Ciao.

15 comments:

darth sardonic said...

aint a genius (though my kids think i am a "deenius" every time i fix something) but still love your blog, n thanks.

Nicole said...

I love reading about your experiences! I am so jealous that you got to got to the states too! I know your Buddhist (sorry I know zero about that religion) but I assume you don't celebrate x-mas? You are however out and about in Rabat alot, so I was wondering if you have seen anyplace I can buy a christmas tree?

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

OK, I must be the only person on the planet who read The Secret Life of Bees and found it disappointing. Like the film reviews. Will try to see some of them.

jmb said...

I have not been able to take to the very popular Jan Karon either.

Danielle Steele is so boooring, even in Italian where I have done all my reading of that woman. She repeats herself over and over and the figures are all like cardboard.

I used to love short stories,now not so much. If I like it I want it to be longer, if I don't, I don't want ot read it at all.

Maude Lynn said...

Obviously, I agree that your blog is a genius level read!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Interesting list. I loved the "Worker Bees" book.

Reem said...

Oh you are lucky you have time to read and watch many movies:) I'm reading Marshmallows for breakfast now but I really want to go to the movies!

I love Denzel Washington, he is good at all his roles.

lady macleod said...

darth

we are think you are a "deenius"!

thank you, and thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

nicole

hmm... I have seen no real Christmas trees, but last year they had the fakes in all sizes and colors at Marjane. That would be my suggestion.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

WUASTC

I can see where it would be possible to not like it, I was more ready to NOT like it, but the ending worked for me. Tell me why you didn't like it; that is always so interesting.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

jmb

Well, she has enough fans without us I guess eh? I used to feel the same about short stories, but with me it was because I read so quickly; but now I like to catch one inbetween other tasks.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

mama zen

Indeed! he he

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

onedia

I shall take a look at that, thank you.

and thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

welshcakes

thank you, and thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

kizzie

I always MAKE time to read; but I am so fortunate to have access to all the latest films here! It's great fun.

thank you for coming by.