What I Was Reading in AprilHow to Hepburn by Karen Karbo
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire
The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky
Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way by Leonard S. Marcus
"Is It Done Yet?": Teaching Adolescents the Art of Revision by Barry Gilmore
This month I read a plethora of young adult or juvenile level books. Into the Wild isn't about Christopher McCandless, though I've read that one too. This is a foray into the "wild" of fairy tale books. It was only okay as was What the Dickens. I had high hopes since I loved Wicked so much. Maguire's story about the Tooth Fairy had to be great, right? Wrong. I am sure some youngster might enjoy it, but it lacked something for me. I would give both books a c+ and Red Shoe was more like a C-. First of all, it was terribly depressing. Secondly it was unclear and vague in its plot line and I never truly felt resolution over some of the issues in the story. I wouldn't recommend it, even though it's written by Avi's wife, another reason I'd hoped to enjoy it.
The tribute to Golden Books was a cool book, full of publishing house history and wonderful illustrations straight out of the pages of many beloved Golden Books. If you loved the books, you might enjoy this one too.
How to Hepburn was much more of a biography than a true "how to" book and I got a big kick out of this one.
The Gilmore book on revision is one I read for my professional book group and it was a bit intense. I'm still working on it, even though we've met and moved on. I can see ideas that are workable and will stretch me as a teacher of writing, but I also see his ideals as possibly being beyond some of my students. I need to find a way to make that not so. Sigh.
What I was Watching in April
On TV
Lost
Heroes season 1 on DVD
The Bachelor: London Calling
Dancing With the Stars
The Office
30 Rock
Brothers and Sisters
Desperate Housewives
Of course I am giddy that Lost is finally back on. It's the highlight of the week. Dancing with the Stars is so clearly Kristi Yamaguchi's year, but I've enjoyed watching all of the dancers. I guess it's just a little more "blah" to me... maybe I'm burnt out on dancing?
I started watching The Bachelor again even though I'd sworn it off. I really like this one. Shayne is my favorite, though I'm a little surprised she's still in the game. I totally agreed with his choice of the last four women, but when he ditched Noelle, I was disappointed. I would have cut Chelsea loose, and then he ditched Amanda too. Hmmm. Maybe he and Chelsea and he ARE meant to be. I'm still hoping it will be Shayne.
I watched one episode of Heroes Season 1 last January and didn't start it all up again until this month and now I'm utterly and completely hooked. I love it. I'm a little over half done with the season. Yum.
Film on TCMParis When it Sizzles
This is an unprecedented month... I rented nothing on DVD and saw nothing in the theatre. I managed to watch this film one day on TCM and I love Audrey Hepburn so that made it fun. She and William Holden are working on a screenplay. He's the famous writer, she's there to type it up. It reminded me a bit of that film Alex and Emma with Kate Hudson a few years ago, only I liked this one a bit better. Overall, it wasn't my favorite classic film or anything, but it was worth the time spent.
What I Was Listening to in April
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
Wincing the Night Away by The Shins
Say I Am You by The Weepies
Across the Universe soundtrack
I really love this Shins CD. I need to explore their previous work and see if I like it as much. I was listening to The Weepies in preparation for buying their latest release. Wilco was all about the concert but now I'm all in love with them. And my three favorite songs on the Across the Universe Soundtrack are the first four songs: "All My Loving," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "It Won't Be Long," and "I've Just Seen a Face."
a random sampling from my MP3 player here are my posted shuffles:
April 6Against the Wind by Bob Seger
Judy is a Punk by The Ramones
Don't Think Twice It's Alright by Joan Baez & The Indigo GirlsDaddy Sang Bass by Johnny Cash
Freedom of the Road by Martin Sexton
April 11Johnny Hit and Run Pauline by X
It's True That We Love One Another by The White Stripes
Crazy Love by Van Morrison
Lullaby by Dixie Chicks
It Must Have Been Love by Roxette
April 25
Get closer by Seals and Croft
If Wishes Were Horses by Claire Lynch
If It Ever Stops Rainin' by Graham Parker
Lovin', Touchin', and Squeezin' by Journey
Runaway by Avril Lavigne
2 comments:
I watched Heroes Season One all in a row...the only way to watch it. I am waiting for season two now. I didn't expect to love it, but I did.
It was a bit too bloody for me, but I really did get totally addicted.
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