Weekly Update :: April 17-23, 2011
What I’ve Been Reading:
I had the opportunity to read The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. It is her debut novel and will be released in May. I really enjoyed being taken to Bainbridge Island off the coast of Seattle in this book. I could absolutely see my surroundings and, more than once, got on the computer to look at pictures and bookmark bed and breakfasts! Part love story, part mystery, this book has a similar feel to The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Incorporating modern times and the 1940′s mixed together with likable characters this novel had just enough ups and downs to tug on your heartstrings while keeping the story moving. It was just right for a spring read, not quite light enough for a summer beach read(I actually had tears in my eyes at the end, and like to dab my eyes in private thank you very much), but perfect for a warm spring evening on the back porch. I recommend to readers who enjoyed The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry and The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil (all books which I enjoyed, by the way).
I’ve been reading John Adams for the read-a-long. I’m loving this book and highly recommend it for anyone who likes non-fiction and or history. It reads like a novel, but is packed with incredible information about the founding of our country, in particular through the eyes of John Adams. You can follow along with the read-a-long on Fridays, here on the blog. Last week we read Chapter Two (you can see my thoughts on that here), this week we’re on Chapter Three.
Fun Finds:
(Click on pictures to be taken to the source)
Bookworm Locket Necklace
Pride and Prejudice Quote Magnets
Bookin’ It to the movies:
Atlas Shrugged Part 1 opened with a limited release this weekend (April 15).
Water for Elephants opens this weekend (April 22).
Are you planning to go see these movie adaptations? Have you read the books?
I’m glad to see you enjoyed The Violets of March – I’m really excited about it.
I really want to read The Violets of March so I am glad to see you enjoyed it1
Good news, I’m holding a giveaway next week along with an interview with the author!
Bainbridge? You just had to mention Bainbridge…now I want to plan a trip, too!
I know! It sounds amazing! Have you been there?
Oh my, that bookworm necklace is precious!
Isn’t it fun? It’s a locket!
I haven’t read Water for Elephants – I’ve read such good reviews but there is just something that is putting me off…but I DO want to see the film (lazy reader!)
Your review reminded me that a friend recommended The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society…which I’ve been meaning to get to…but now I can recommend The Violets of March to her!
Water for Elephants looks REALLY good–definitely on my list, and if it’s good, I’ll pick up the book…
I’m a lot more conflicted about Atlas Shrugged–I read The Foutainhead and Anthem in high school, and enjoyed them well enough…but then in college, I had a professor who practically went apocalyptic when he saw a classmate reading Ayn Rand…A professor who usually had a joke ready, suddenly crazy-serious about Rand being to the detriment of society, and I actually think he recommend book-burning for her works—It was such a strange moment, not being sure if he was serious or not, and then being very sure. He was a very liberal guy, and I never would have thought that he’d have been for censorship of any kind, let alone book burning…and it may have just been dramatic license, but his visceral reaction to Rand–when I had found the works somewhat bland, to be honest–completely shocked me…So when I saw that there’s a movie for Atlas shrugged, part of me goes right back to that moment in class, with a teacher I respect very much, and wants to not see it out of respect for that teacher…And a little bit of me wants to see it because of that…And part of me remembers my so-so feelings about the books, and the movie adaptation of The Fountainhead, so I’m still undecided…
Yes, you must read Guernsey — it’s wonderful!
Wow! I wonder why your professor felt so strongly… did anyone ask? I haven’t read any Ayn Rand, to be honest, but she is one of my brother’s very favorite authors. Interesting… now I think I’m even more curious to see the movie — I’ll be thinking of your professor the whole time, trying to figure out why he had such strong thoughts about it!
hmmm…I’ve been thinking about asking my prof on facebook…will let you know if I decide and what the answer is, but I think it was to do with the ideas involved in her writing–I don’t remember a lot about the stories…I just remember that when I was reading them, they made me think a lot–I think they were kind of about the worth of the individual versus the good of the whole?–I remember having and interested, but detached feeling at the same time.
Anthem was a really quick read–One of my friends thought it was like The Giver, but I haven’t read that, so I’m not positive…It was kind of a dystopian society, where people were assigned jobs and lives, and shared everything…and of course there was one guy who just kind of had this “feeling” that he was missing something, then he discovers the word “ego”—basically “self” had been banished for the good of the society, and it ends with the main character realizing his individuality.
They are very “thinky” books, and I think there’s probably a lot of a kind of “indoctrination/propaganda” mindset to it, so that might have been his issue.
Yes, would be interested in hearing if you get a definite answer. You are probably right, though. Propaganda that maybe he didn’t agree with might be the answer.
(sidenote, I’ve never seen reply boxes get so small) Ok, so I emailed my prof, and basically it was the propaganda idea that the book/movie promote–specifically a “country being run by corporate masters” who for the good or greed of money, must control the general masses who are (also?) obsessed with greed.
Basically an idea that the majority of people aren’t able/capable/intelligent enough to be responsible for themselves without someone who “knows better” telling them what to do.
Or at least that’ s one interpretation. I do know that I checked out the website way way back and something about it just gave me the creeps…plus having read some of the work myself, and not being “wowed” by it personally, and the combination of him being one of my favorite profs, is enough to sway me against it—but I’d definitely be interested in hearing if anyone else sees it, or what they think.
How interesting! Especially because Rand was a libertarian. I really don’t know enough about her writing (and how much was plain fiction compared to what was her actual philosophy) to make any intelligent arguments. But thanks for finding out that information… it definitely makes me more curious about this movie/book.
I read, and loved, Water For Elephants so I am excited for the movie! I cannot wait to read The Violets of March. I read Sarah’s Glamour.com blog and she seems so genuinely kind and lovely, so I’m looking forward to checking out her fiction writing.
I definitely would like to see Water for Elephants, having really enjoyed the book.
I would like to see Atlas Shrugged but have been meaning to read the book for years, and I like to read the book first, so I may have to watch the dvd of that one.
Violets of March sounds really good, (I entered the giveaway) as does Map of True Places. I loved Guernsey so I’ll be putting these 2 on my list.
Must catch up on John Adams first!!
I know! So many great books so little time in the day to read!