I did not realize that my last blog was my last for this class. How sad. I would have made it a little better, then again, Terry Woods did not give me much to go on.
It feels very weird to be graduating. I was in the program for two and a half years and going through it I felt every minute of everyday but now that it's over, it feels like it flew by. I guess that's how most things are.
And, now that I won't have class to discuss Twilight in, I hope I don't have to resort to posting on twi-hard message boards to get my Twilight fix.
G-d, I hope everyone knows it was like 60% a joke...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
True to the Game
I think I have to say this. I just don't like Urban Fiction. I think that must be what it is. I found this book depressing. I am not sure if these books are supposed to be light and trashy or like, somehow subversive commentary on what's wrong with living that sort of lifestyle. But, either way I was depressed.
And, I found the dialogue ridiculous. Like, when Q was randomly Muslim when he answered the phone but otherwise he wasn't. Also, he kills people and is a drug dealer, but he has moral issues with having a christmas tree. REALLY????? Plus, why not just go be a dentist if you are a freakin' dentist.
But, I know teens love this sort of stuff and maybe some of them can relate so they like it even more. But, I just didn't.
I don't have the energy to compare this book to Twilight. I can't think of anything either. Oh, now I feel compelled. Maybe Edward is Bella's drug. Eh, that's not good. But it's all I feel like doing.
But I did love No Regrets. I love tattoos, not those particular tattoos, not that I can ever get one. But I would if I could. Maybe laughing at how terrible those are will make teens pause for a few minutes before getting their own ridiculous tattoos.
And, I found the dialogue ridiculous. Like, when Q was randomly Muslim when he answered the phone but otherwise he wasn't. Also, he kills people and is a drug dealer, but he has moral issues with having a christmas tree. REALLY????? Plus, why not just go be a dentist if you are a freakin' dentist.
But, I know teens love this sort of stuff and maybe some of them can relate so they like it even more. But, I just didn't.
I don't have the energy to compare this book to Twilight. I can't think of anything either. Oh, now I feel compelled. Maybe Edward is Bella's drug. Eh, that's not good. But it's all I feel like doing.
But I did love No Regrets. I love tattoos, not those particular tattoos, not that I can ever get one. But I would if I could. Maybe laughing at how terrible those are will make teens pause for a few minutes before getting their own ridiculous tattoos.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
It's a good thing I don't twitter and follow Demi Moore, because I may have had to post suicidal status updates after reading Living Dead Girl.
I know teens like depressing books. And, I know that bad things happen in the world, however, I am not sure why this book was necessary. I understand she was brainwashed, and afraid to run away from him because he would kill her and her parents. But, just how depressed does one need to get while reading a book?
I wonder if anyone reads this book and likes it. Actually, I'm going to look up book reviews for it right now... Ok people seem to like it. Then again, it's not like I disliked it so much as did not want to deal with the story it told.
This might be my English degrees speaking, (oh I knew that MA would come in handy one day,) but I generally split writing up a few ways. One is books that are "good" i.e well written, well crafted, plotted, thought out, whatever. And, books that I like. These "good" books I don't necessarily have to like, but that doesn't mean I will discount it for it's literary merit. For a few reasons, but most importantly, who the hell am I? I mean, I HATE Mark Twain, but I don't think I'm in a position to say that he was bad at what he did. Clearly, most people disagree with me. So, he's good I just don't like him. (This is probably something teens should learn, their opinion in terms of good and bad usually aren't important, how the author does it is sometimes more important that what they are saying...but that opens whole areas of lit critique and I'll bore myself if I go down that path.)
I'd say Living Dead Girl falls into the "good" category.
And, just to be thorough, I also have a classification of books that I like but are actually not particularly well written or provide any lasting literary value.
Dare I say it? TWILIGHT falls into this category.
And, now for my coup de grace, because I neglected to mention Twilight in my last blog.
Living Dead Girl is like Twilight, in that Alice (the name is the same, but that's too easy) is constantly worried she is going to do something wrong and get killed by Ray, these are fears that Bella has too.
Ugh, I feel dirty writing that and minimalizing the horrors that Alice went through, even if it's fiction, there are probably real-life situations that are far too similar. And, now I'm depressed again. Where's Demi Moore?
I know teens like depressing books. And, I know that bad things happen in the world, however, I am not sure why this book was necessary. I understand she was brainwashed, and afraid to run away from him because he would kill her and her parents. But, just how depressed does one need to get while reading a book?
I wonder if anyone reads this book and likes it. Actually, I'm going to look up book reviews for it right now... Ok people seem to like it. Then again, it's not like I disliked it so much as did not want to deal with the story it told.
This might be my English degrees speaking, (oh I knew that MA would come in handy one day,) but I generally split writing up a few ways. One is books that are "good" i.e well written, well crafted, plotted, thought out, whatever. And, books that I like. These "good" books I don't necessarily have to like, but that doesn't mean I will discount it for it's literary merit. For a few reasons, but most importantly, who the hell am I? I mean, I HATE Mark Twain, but I don't think I'm in a position to say that he was bad at what he did. Clearly, most people disagree with me. So, he's good I just don't like him. (This is probably something teens should learn, their opinion in terms of good and bad usually aren't important, how the author does it is sometimes more important that what they are saying...but that opens whole areas of lit critique and I'll bore myself if I go down that path.)
I'd say Living Dead Girl falls into the "good" category.
And, just to be thorough, I also have a classification of books that I like but are actually not particularly well written or provide any lasting literary value.
Dare I say it? TWILIGHT falls into this category.
And, now for my coup de grace, because I neglected to mention Twilight in my last blog.
Living Dead Girl is like Twilight, in that Alice (the name is the same, but that's too easy) is constantly worried she is going to do something wrong and get killed by Ray, these are fears that Bella has too.
Ugh, I feel dirty writing that and minimalizing the horrors that Alice went through, even if it's fiction, there are probably real-life situations that are far too similar. And, now I'm depressed again. Where's Demi Moore?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A really nice paper town
Ok, I couldn't think of a title.
I loooooooved both of these books. I think I liked Prom Mess a little bit more though. Every time I thought ok, nothing else crazy can happen, something else happened. But, I would like to point out this book has another instance of the closeted, douche bag, football player. And, I'm pretty sure this book held my favorite line where he describes his former best friend as having, "Jew fro" hilarious.
I think kids would love this book too, or maybe I'm being swayed by my love of it. And, I'm a sucker for a happy ending, so I liked that by the end he had a new love interest. Also that he came out of the closet and basically everyone was fine with it (which is how the world is in my head--even though I know I'm lying to myself). I sort of think this book could be read by boys too, it's a lot more accessible than Freak Show.
I think that the comedy in the book comes from his having to lie about who he is, but there's so much truth that winds up being exposed because of the lie.
Although, I think the scene where Cameron says, "you know, all the bad choices I made were because I smoked pot. Pot leads to bad decision making, you should not do drugs," was kind of a cop out. But it's a book for teens, so I get it.
Now, Paper Towns. I love that everyone calls Milwaukie's Best- Beast. I loved this book too, but I am not sure that it holds up to inspection (much the way Twilight does not...hehe). This is why- I am not a big fan of the, "I can't relate to the character so it is not a good book," theory. But, towards the end, I got kind of sick of Margo. The beginning was awesome, the level of detail and planning that she put into her revenge was amazing and I wish I had thought of that when (TMI maybe) my high school boyfriend felt the need to sleep with not one, but two of my friends. However, when she ran away and he thought she was dead, and I too, kept holding my breath for when he'd find her body, I got annoyed with her. And, I read looking for Alaska after, otherwise I'd definitely have thought she was dead. (Parenthetically, I loved Looking for Alaska, but I really dislike sad books in theory and I cried for like, 4 days after that.)
She didn't feel bad enough (in my opinion) that they missed graduation to chase after her, and that they thought she was dead for a month. Also, really, who runs away a month before graduation? Suck it up, finish high school and get out the way everyone else does. Parental neglect is no reason to ruin your future chances by not even having a high school diploma. But, maybe I'm showing my age there. Maybe it's the ultimate teenage fantasy to run away from home and do it on your own.
Come to think of it, my boyfriend cheating thing happened right around the same time that hers did. I am Margo Roth Spiegelman! Except, you know, I sucked it up, stayed in school and then went off to college and got away from them all that way (with a summer of working with all guilty parties in between there, it was a nightmare actually, but hey, whatever doesn't kill you...)
Yeah, anyway. Loved these books.
I loooooooved both of these books. I think I liked Prom Mess a little bit more though. Every time I thought ok, nothing else crazy can happen, something else happened. But, I would like to point out this book has another instance of the closeted, douche bag, football player. And, I'm pretty sure this book held my favorite line where he describes his former best friend as having, "Jew fro" hilarious.
I think kids would love this book too, or maybe I'm being swayed by my love of it. And, I'm a sucker for a happy ending, so I liked that by the end he had a new love interest. Also that he came out of the closet and basically everyone was fine with it (which is how the world is in my head--even though I know I'm lying to myself). I sort of think this book could be read by boys too, it's a lot more accessible than Freak Show.
I think that the comedy in the book comes from his having to lie about who he is, but there's so much truth that winds up being exposed because of the lie.
Although, I think the scene where Cameron says, "you know, all the bad choices I made were because I smoked pot. Pot leads to bad decision making, you should not do drugs," was kind of a cop out. But it's a book for teens, so I get it.
Now, Paper Towns. I love that everyone calls Milwaukie's Best- Beast. I loved this book too, but I am not sure that it holds up to inspection (much the way Twilight does not...hehe). This is why- I am not a big fan of the, "I can't relate to the character so it is not a good book," theory. But, towards the end, I got kind of sick of Margo. The beginning was awesome, the level of detail and planning that she put into her revenge was amazing and I wish I had thought of that when (TMI maybe) my high school boyfriend felt the need to sleep with not one, but two of my friends. However, when she ran away and he thought she was dead, and I too, kept holding my breath for when he'd find her body, I got annoyed with her. And, I read looking for Alaska after, otherwise I'd definitely have thought she was dead. (Parenthetically, I loved Looking for Alaska, but I really dislike sad books in theory and I cried for like, 4 days after that.)
She didn't feel bad enough (in my opinion) that they missed graduation to chase after her, and that they thought she was dead for a month. Also, really, who runs away a month before graduation? Suck it up, finish high school and get out the way everyone else does. Parental neglect is no reason to ruin your future chances by not even having a high school diploma. But, maybe I'm showing my age there. Maybe it's the ultimate teenage fantasy to run away from home and do it on your own.
Come to think of it, my boyfriend cheating thing happened right around the same time that hers did. I am Margo Roth Spiegelman! Except, you know, I sucked it up, stayed in school and then went off to college and got away from them all that way (with a summer of working with all guilty parties in between there, it was a nightmare actually, but hey, whatever doesn't kill you...)
Yeah, anyway. Loved these books.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Dead High Yearbook
According to the syllabus online, Dead High Yearbook is the only reading due this week. Maybe because the talk to teen papers are due this week too.
I am not sure how to write an entire blog about that book. I am sure teens like it, it's a cool concept and the pictures are big and colorful. I kinda liked it. But not enough to really write something lengthy about it. I liked how some of the stories were interconnected. And, I didn't feel particularly bad for any of the teens who died. I guess that says something. I guess since the deaths were all supernatural, it made it more amusing than sad. Unlike, Looking for Alaska where a teen dies (and makes you cry for, I dunno, hours on end.)
I think for this week we were also supposed to watch the Dark Knight. I think I am the only person in the world who has yet to see that movie. But, I really don't like superhero movies. I don't like Spiderman, or Superman or the last million Batman movies. So, I will apologize for not watching it but I just can't bring myself to do it. I find them dark and depressing and Batman is especially depressing, and I'm not even referring to Heath Ledger.
Oh, and I'll take this time to mention that I will be doing my annotations on something related to Twilight. I know this is shocking.
I am not sure how to write an entire blog about that book. I am sure teens like it, it's a cool concept and the pictures are big and colorful. I kinda liked it. But not enough to really write something lengthy about it. I liked how some of the stories were interconnected. And, I didn't feel particularly bad for any of the teens who died. I guess that says something. I guess since the deaths were all supernatural, it made it more amusing than sad. Unlike, Looking for Alaska where a teen dies (and makes you cry for, I dunno, hours on end.)
I think for this week we were also supposed to watch the Dark Knight. I think I am the only person in the world who has yet to see that movie. But, I really don't like superhero movies. I don't like Spiderman, or Superman or the last million Batman movies. So, I will apologize for not watching it but I just can't bring myself to do it. I find them dark and depressing and Batman is especially depressing, and I'm not even referring to Heath Ledger.
Oh, and I'll take this time to mention that I will be doing my annotations on something related to Twilight. I know this is shocking.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Back(b)log
Accidentally missed a post here. My apologies.
I am confused on the whole, what is Manga what isn't argument. I was of the impression that it had to be backwards and Japanese to be Manga, but Dramacon isn't but I guess it is classified as Manga too.
I liked Dramacon a lot and I think that sort of story would have definite appeal to teenage girls. And the fact that it's graphic lends itself to reluctant readers. I always find it amazing when people don't like to read. I know there are tons of people who don't it just amazes me. When I was in high school I read every book assigned. Even in college, text books and articles I probably didn't read, but if we were reading novels, I was reading them. But, that might be the reason I hesitate about Manga, I am somewhat of a purist, or have been. And, there's something that seems very throwaway about graphic novels. But, then I know that there's amazing stuff out there. Maus isn't throwaway at all. Neither is the Sandman series. But, even though I KNOW this, I still just don't get into it.
And, while I liked Dramacon, it is defintely fluff, so it doesn't help convert me.
Hm, none of that was really to the point here. I am well aware that my taste has nothing to do with what is "good" (and I think by now we all know how questionable my taste is--TWILIGHT)
Anyway, I did read the whole series, I wanted to know if she saw him again. I'm a sucker for a love story...Much like Edward and Bella...
Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You, made me sad. I mentioned in class that I've been in situations where I wonder if freaking out is the appropriate response, but somehow I keep back from that edge (maybe I'm insane...I will admit the Twilight obsession definitely points to my being slightly unhinged). The fact that the character frequently went over that edge made me really nervous. Like, I wanted to shake him and just tell him to hang on, stay back from the line, you'll finish high school and things do get better. Most people, I think, hate high school. Unless you fit into that mold, you're probably going to be vaguely miserable for four years, but there's the other side if you can just wait for it. Teens who don't quite fit would probably relate to this. I probably would have liked it as a teen. I'm on the fence about it now.
I am confused on the whole, what is Manga what isn't argument. I was of the impression that it had to be backwards and Japanese to be Manga, but Dramacon isn't but I guess it is classified as Manga too.
I liked Dramacon a lot and I think that sort of story would have definite appeal to teenage girls. And the fact that it's graphic lends itself to reluctant readers. I always find it amazing when people don't like to read. I know there are tons of people who don't it just amazes me. When I was in high school I read every book assigned. Even in college, text books and articles I probably didn't read, but if we were reading novels, I was reading them. But, that might be the reason I hesitate about Manga, I am somewhat of a purist, or have been. And, there's something that seems very throwaway about graphic novels. But, then I know that there's amazing stuff out there. Maus isn't throwaway at all. Neither is the Sandman series. But, even though I KNOW this, I still just don't get into it.
And, while I liked Dramacon, it is defintely fluff, so it doesn't help convert me.
Hm, none of that was really to the point here. I am well aware that my taste has nothing to do with what is "good" (and I think by now we all know how questionable my taste is--TWILIGHT)
Anyway, I did read the whole series, I wanted to know if she saw him again. I'm a sucker for a love story...Much like Edward and Bella...
Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You, made me sad. I mentioned in class that I've been in situations where I wonder if freaking out is the appropriate response, but somehow I keep back from that edge (maybe I'm insane...I will admit the Twilight obsession definitely points to my being slightly unhinged). The fact that the character frequently went over that edge made me really nervous. Like, I wanted to shake him and just tell him to hang on, stay back from the line, you'll finish high school and things do get better. Most people, I think, hate high school. Unless you fit into that mold, you're probably going to be vaguely miserable for four years, but there's the other side if you can just wait for it. Teens who don't quite fit would probably relate to this. I probably would have liked it as a teen. I'm on the fence about it now.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Death Note with a little bit of Poison
I LOVED that Death Note's subtitle was Boredom, because I think it summed up how I felt while reading it.
That being said, I don't blame the book. I don't think I'm the target audience for Manga, especially not Manga about death g-ds or whatever that thing was supposed to be.
I am sure this book appeals to teenage boys in a major way. And I think that's a good thing. In fact a few of my male coworkers saw the book at my desk and were like, ooh Death Note. And they've watched the cartoon.
I'm not one to think that just because I don't like a book it has no merit. I think most books probably provide something to the audience, I don't necessarily have to be the person who it's for.
I just didn't understand where Light was coming from, he wanted to use it for good and yet he'd have killed L because he was looking for him. Plus I just didn't care whether or not they caught him, or who died or why.
Also, I had difficulty reading it backwards, and I grew up reading Hebrew, so this is totally my own special fault.
Onwards, I am a huge fantasy fan. I cannot even tell you how many fantasy series I have read through (hm...Twilight anyone?) But, I just didn't connect that well with Poison.
Actually, that's inaccurate. I like happy endings. And, the end of Poison didn't satisfy me because the one thing she wanted to accomplish she wasn't able to. She wanted her sister back and it didn't happen. Sure, all these other things happened, and she made a whole new family, but the one thing she set out to do she didn't do.
So, I guess I liked it. I just could have liked it better. I haven't read any of the author's other works, but I've heard they are good, so maybe I'll try that and see.
I don't know if teens go for this book or not. I can't decide. It didn't take long to read, and I was curious as to where the book was going, but there's a lot of fantasy out. I am not sure how someone makes their mark in that genre at this point.
That being said, I don't blame the book. I don't think I'm the target audience for Manga, especially not Manga about death g-ds or whatever that thing was supposed to be.
I am sure this book appeals to teenage boys in a major way. And I think that's a good thing. In fact a few of my male coworkers saw the book at my desk and were like, ooh Death Note. And they've watched the cartoon.
I'm not one to think that just because I don't like a book it has no merit. I think most books probably provide something to the audience, I don't necessarily have to be the person who it's for.
I just didn't understand where Light was coming from, he wanted to use it for good and yet he'd have killed L because he was looking for him. Plus I just didn't care whether or not they caught him, or who died or why.
Also, I had difficulty reading it backwards, and I grew up reading Hebrew, so this is totally my own special fault.
Onwards, I am a huge fantasy fan. I cannot even tell you how many fantasy series I have read through (hm...Twilight anyone?) But, I just didn't connect that well with Poison.
Actually, that's inaccurate. I like happy endings. And, the end of Poison didn't satisfy me because the one thing she wanted to accomplish she wasn't able to. She wanted her sister back and it didn't happen. Sure, all these other things happened, and she made a whole new family, but the one thing she set out to do she didn't do.
So, I guess I liked it. I just could have liked it better. I haven't read any of the author's other works, but I've heard they are good, so maybe I'll try that and see.
I don't know if teens go for this book or not. I can't decide. It didn't take long to read, and I was curious as to where the book was going, but there's a lot of fantasy out. I am not sure how someone makes their mark in that genre at this point.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Grace After Midnight
This book I would probably categorize with "No Choirboy" because they are both true stories about how kids can seriously mess up their lives. Teens usually think they are invincible. But both of these stories prove that they aren't and that what they do can have serious consequences.
What I liked about Snoop, was that although she had a hard life, she still took blame for the way her life turned out. She had foster parents who tried to raise her well and were there for her. And she saw firsthand how drugs and that kind of hard living ruined lives, but she still felt compelled to live that life. She was told repeatedly that living like that would lead to something bad happening, but she did it anyway.
The other good thing about these books is that they can teach huge moral and ethical lessons without being didactic. If I told a kid not to do drugs and not to murder anyone (who knew it needed explaining?) I come off as an uncool old person. BUT, if they see a book where the teens who lived it wrote it, well then it's just reality and not preaching and forcing lessons on them. Both of these books are very readable.
I know this was really just supposed to be about Grace After Midnight, but I didn't get to talk about No Choirboy in my Hotlanta blog of condemnation.
I wasn't an at-risk teen, I grew up knowing exactly what was expected of me and how I was supposed to get there. But, there are so many kids who aren't that lucky. And both of these books really brought that home for me.
What I liked about Snoop, was that although she had a hard life, she still took blame for the way her life turned out. She had foster parents who tried to raise her well and were there for her. And she saw firsthand how drugs and that kind of hard living ruined lives, but she still felt compelled to live that life. She was told repeatedly that living like that would lead to something bad happening, but she did it anyway.
The other good thing about these books is that they can teach huge moral and ethical lessons without being didactic. If I told a kid not to do drugs and not to murder anyone (who knew it needed explaining?) I come off as an uncool old person. BUT, if they see a book where the teens who lived it wrote it, well then it's just reality and not preaching and forcing lessons on them. Both of these books are very readable.
I know this was really just supposed to be about Grace After Midnight, but I didn't get to talk about No Choirboy in my Hotlanta blog of condemnation.
I wasn't an at-risk teen, I grew up knowing exactly what was expected of me and how I was supposed to get there. But, there are so many kids who aren't that lucky. And both of these books really brought that home for me.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Little Brother
As much as I disliked Hotlanta is as much as I liked Little Brother.
But, since I have to be negative somewhere in here, I love the reference to 1984, and I feel personally gratified when I get a reference, do teenagers get it? I think I underestimate teenagers today. But unless 1984 is their required reading are they going out of their way to read it? Although, they might know the phrase Big Brother is watching, without knowing where it originates. Maybe they think it comes from the tv show...
Moving on...
I really thought everything about this book was good. And should have definite appeal to teens. I thought it was scary and eerily possible (I'll leave my politics out of it, but I imagine it was written during and with a thought to the Bush administration.)
Marcus and his friends seemed like totally normal kids, like it could happen to anyone. Wrong place, wrong time and look at that. I actually had a fear of that as a kid, I have no idea why but I used to imagine what I'd do if I was wrongfully accused of murder. I was an odd kid. As I got older it occurred to me to NOT put myself in situations where people got murdered and I'd probably be ok. But, it is true, how DO you prove you DIDN'T do something. Easy to prove you did it. But how do you get them to believe you didn't? Scarrrrrrrrry.
I think the part I found really funny and true to life was when Marcus and his girlfriend had sex, not that they did or what they did, but when they did it. It seemed very teenage, (any age?) like, something really important is happening, nah we have time for it. Hilarious.
I also liked the topic, constructive use of time. I think that Marcus made the best of the situation by fighting against the man (hehe) and not just sitting back and taking it. I do not think Noah Scalin made productive use of his time making all those Skulls. Ooh I am making it sound like art is a waste of time...but I don't think those will be on display in the Louvre 100 years from now...
But, since I have to be negative somewhere in here, I love the reference to 1984, and I feel personally gratified when I get a reference, do teenagers get it? I think I underestimate teenagers today. But unless 1984 is their required reading are they going out of their way to read it? Although, they might know the phrase Big Brother is watching, without knowing where it originates. Maybe they think it comes from the tv show...
Moving on...
I really thought everything about this book was good. And should have definite appeal to teens. I thought it was scary and eerily possible (I'll leave my politics out of it, but I imagine it was written during and with a thought to the Bush administration.)
Marcus and his friends seemed like totally normal kids, like it could happen to anyone. Wrong place, wrong time and look at that. I actually had a fear of that as a kid, I have no idea why but I used to imagine what I'd do if I was wrongfully accused of murder. I was an odd kid. As I got older it occurred to me to NOT put myself in situations where people got murdered and I'd probably be ok. But, it is true, how DO you prove you DIDN'T do something. Easy to prove you did it. But how do you get them to believe you didn't? Scarrrrrrrrry.
I think the part I found really funny and true to life was when Marcus and his girlfriend had sex, not that they did or what they did, but when they did it. It seemed very teenage, (any age?) like, something really important is happening, nah we have time for it. Hilarious.
I also liked the topic, constructive use of time. I think that Marcus made the best of the situation by fighting against the man (hehe) and not just sitting back and taking it. I do not think Noah Scalin made productive use of his time making all those Skulls. Ooh I am making it sound like art is a waste of time...but I don't think those will be on display in the Louvre 100 years from now...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Actually, that's not hot
Oh my Lord, Hotlanta.
I think I am not going out on a limb here when I say that this was the worst book I have ever read. I have a weird compulsion to finish books that I start, even when I hate them, so I did finish this. But, I wonder why it was written.
Actually, I imagine I'm not the only one who will do this, but...
As I sit here at my desk, at work, looking at my 22 inch Dell widescreen monitor (perk of being in IT what can I say?) and typing on my Dell keyboard, I am eating a Dannon Light and Fit Blueberry yogurt.
When I leave here, I will straighten out my Black merino wool DKNY sweater, and make sure my grey Gap dress pants aren't wrinkled (I'm at a loss for adding these details in, I'm already dressed...) and put on my Black hooded Andrew Marc winter coat.
I will drive my Grey 2006 Mazda3 to Queens College and sit in class. Once in class I will take notes with my Citibank pen (I am unclear why I own this, as I do not bank with them, but it's a nice pen) and my Fivestar notebook.
OK, I'm giving up here. My low-rent version of Hotlanta is depressing me.
That was not even my biggest complaint with the book. I dislike the glorification of gangster culture. I know it's prevalent, but I can't help but dislike it. I think the book would have been fine if they left it at the stepfather just being rich and the mother wanted to better her kids, (by being a huge pain in the ass.) But, noo he has to be a gangster. It just felt forced and stupid and an attempt to be hip and edgy, but it just was ridiculous to me. Then again I am very much not their demographic. I gave the book to my former assistant, who is 21 and LOOOOOVES urban fiction, I was hoping to get her take on it before we had this class, but she hasn't read it yet. I'll update when she has.
As a side note, I hear hilarious slang here (Central of QBPL) my favorite is, ice grill. As in, why you givin' me that ice grill? It means dirty look, I have no idea how widespread this is, and I think it's old and not used anymore, but being tragically white I still like to say it.
Actually, I lied, my new favorite is all up in the kool aid.
I think I am not going out on a limb here when I say that this was the worst book I have ever read. I have a weird compulsion to finish books that I start, even when I hate them, so I did finish this. But, I wonder why it was written.
Actually, I imagine I'm not the only one who will do this, but...
As I sit here at my desk, at work, looking at my 22 inch Dell widescreen monitor (perk of being in IT what can I say?) and typing on my Dell keyboard, I am eating a Dannon Light and Fit Blueberry yogurt.
When I leave here, I will straighten out my Black merino wool DKNY sweater, and make sure my grey Gap dress pants aren't wrinkled (I'm at a loss for adding these details in, I'm already dressed...) and put on my Black hooded Andrew Marc winter coat.
I will drive my Grey 2006 Mazda3 to Queens College and sit in class. Once in class I will take notes with my Citibank pen (I am unclear why I own this, as I do not bank with them, but it's a nice pen) and my Fivestar notebook.
OK, I'm giving up here. My low-rent version of Hotlanta is depressing me.
That was not even my biggest complaint with the book. I dislike the glorification of gangster culture. I know it's prevalent, but I can't help but dislike it. I think the book would have been fine if they left it at the stepfather just being rich and the mother wanted to better her kids, (by being a huge pain in the ass.) But, noo he has to be a gangster. It just felt forced and stupid and an attempt to be hip and edgy, but it just was ridiculous to me. Then again I am very much not their demographic. I gave the book to my former assistant, who is 21 and LOOOOOVES urban fiction, I was hoping to get her take on it before we had this class, but she hasn't read it yet. I'll update when she has.
As a side note, I hear hilarious slang here (Central of QBPL) my favorite is, ice grill. As in, why you givin' me that ice grill? It means dirty look, I have no idea how widespread this is, and I think it's old and not used anymore, but being tragically white I still like to say it.
Actually, I lied, my new favorite is all up in the kool aid.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I don't think I'm going to be able to reference Twilight here...
I am not even sure where to start with these two books. I want to fit both of them in here somehow. I LOVED both of them.
I'll start with Frankie because I read her first. I found her so relatable and smart. I wish I had been that confident as a teenager, (hell, I'm not that confident now). It's easy to get caught up in wanting to prove yourself to people who aren't worth it and I think that was Frankie's only real problem (obviously a problem necessary to the plot). She felt the need to remain in that inner circle but knew being herself around them would cause her to be ostracised.
Although, I did find myself wishing she would create a girls only organization where she lead the girls to do the cool pranks. And, I sorta I wanted her to end up with Alpha, even though I think he was a jerk. I am not sure why they called her psycho at the end, it was brilliant--I didn't find any of it particularly crazy.
It may be because I read "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian" more recently, but I think I liked it a little bit more than Frankie. (What's with the crazy long titles? I'm not even sure I'm getting them right, but I don't feel like googling them right now) I loved Junior. I laughed and cried throughout the book, cliche but true. I cried on the F train and I am sure I looked very strange. I think what was so great about him was that he was so self-aware. He knew his flaws and he knew what it meant to be Indian and what it meant to leave, but he still had to do it anyway. All these sad things were happening around him but he still managed to try really hard and overcome the obstacles. A lot of people have a lot less hardship and can't get it together to succeed. How many kids would walk that far to school? It was heartbreaking when his grandmother died, (and having been hit by a drunk driver this year I found it doubly upsetting, and that's the part that made me cry).
Look at that, a whole post without Twilight...
I'll start with Frankie because I read her first. I found her so relatable and smart. I wish I had been that confident as a teenager, (hell, I'm not that confident now). It's easy to get caught up in wanting to prove yourself to people who aren't worth it and I think that was Frankie's only real problem (obviously a problem necessary to the plot). She felt the need to remain in that inner circle but knew being herself around them would cause her to be ostracised.
Although, I did find myself wishing she would create a girls only organization where she lead the girls to do the cool pranks. And, I sorta I wanted her to end up with Alpha, even though I think he was a jerk. I am not sure why they called her psycho at the end, it was brilliant--I didn't find any of it particularly crazy.
It may be because I read "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian" more recently, but I think I liked it a little bit more than Frankie. (What's with the crazy long titles? I'm not even sure I'm getting them right, but I don't feel like googling them right now) I loved Junior. I laughed and cried throughout the book, cliche but true. I cried on the F train and I am sure I looked very strange. I think what was so great about him was that he was so self-aware. He knew his flaws and he knew what it meant to be Indian and what it meant to leave, but he still had to do it anyway. All these sad things were happening around him but he still managed to try really hard and overcome the obstacles. A lot of people have a lot less hardship and can't get it together to succeed. How many kids would walk that far to school? It was heartbreaking when his grandmother died, (and having been hit by a drunk driver this year I found it doubly upsetting, and that's the part that made me cry).
Look at that, a whole post without Twilight...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
You know where to find me...
I really liked "You Know Where to Find Me" but gosh, it made me sad. I kept wanting Laura to be alive, for them to see what was happening and save her. I feel this way about any book or movie where someone dies. I am not very good at letting go of fictional characters. Imagine how this translates into real life. (And, not to dwell on Twilight more than I normally do, but for everyone who hated Breaking Dawn, she would have had to pull a J.K Rowling and kill people for a more believable ending, and dammit, I am attached to those characters, so if it requires a weird out-of-nowhere plot line so be it.)
That being said, Miles annoyed the heck out of me for a lot of the book. Firstly, what possessed her to think Jim would throw her out? She is the closest link left to Laura, and from what we are shown about his character, throwing her out seems like the last thing he would ever do. He even tolerated her father's trailer. Then again she was high most of the time, so perhaps the paranoia was from that.
I liked (in terms of what's good for teens to read, I guess) how Laura seemed to be the one who had everything. Laura was the pretty one, the rich one, the popular one, the smart one who went to the good schools and was going to college. And Miles was the one who (in teenage land) had nothing, but Miles is the one who is strong enough to step back off the cliff and Laura couldn't stop herself from falling over. That's probably something everyone needs to realize, adults and teens, sometimes it's not about how you look or who people think you are, it's about what it feels like.
As sad as it made me that Laura couldn't be saved, it made me equally happy that Miles seemed like she would be. And, it was also good that she got to see that people really did care about her. It seemed realistic too that Jamal got mad at her and was tired of it, that seems like a very genuine reaction. I think I'd be annoyed if someone I care about was letting themself sink.
I can understand Miles though--I would guess that everyone (especially teenagers) at some point in their lives has felt irrelevant. Hm...maybe not irrelevant, but so insubstantial, like being there or not doesn't matter, no one will miss me when I'm gone. But, that's never true. There's always someone, and it's good that Miles (imperfect as she is) gets to see how many people do care about her. Maybe it could show someone else that someone cares about them too.
That being said, Miles annoyed the heck out of me for a lot of the book. Firstly, what possessed her to think Jim would throw her out? She is the closest link left to Laura, and from what we are shown about his character, throwing her out seems like the last thing he would ever do. He even tolerated her father's trailer. Then again she was high most of the time, so perhaps the paranoia was from that.
I liked (in terms of what's good for teens to read, I guess) how Laura seemed to be the one who had everything. Laura was the pretty one, the rich one, the popular one, the smart one who went to the good schools and was going to college. And Miles was the one who (in teenage land) had nothing, but Miles is the one who is strong enough to step back off the cliff and Laura couldn't stop herself from falling over. That's probably something everyone needs to realize, adults and teens, sometimes it's not about how you look or who people think you are, it's about what it feels like.
As sad as it made me that Laura couldn't be saved, it made me equally happy that Miles seemed like she would be. And, it was also good that she got to see that people really did care about her. It seemed realistic too that Jamal got mad at her and was tired of it, that seems like a very genuine reaction. I think I'd be annoyed if someone I care about was letting themself sink.
I can understand Miles though--I would guess that everyone (especially teenagers) at some point in their lives has felt irrelevant. Hm...maybe not irrelevant, but so insubstantial, like being there or not doesn't matter, no one will miss me when I'm gone. But, that's never true. There's always someone, and it's good that Miles (imperfect as she is) gets to see how many people do care about her. Maybe it could show someone else that someone cares about them too.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
I want a tiara!
All I could think in relation to Freak Show was that I often fall for the wrong guys and I'm 27 and straight. I wonder what sort of message a book about a gay teenager is sending, when it suggests that IF you fall for the hot football star, maybe if you are interesting enough he will fall for you too. I know there are a lot of people in the closet, and I am sure there's a chance that real people like Flip do exist, but I'm not sure I bought it.
I KNOW I said before that I am all for the suspension of disbelief, but this book seemed to be striving for so much more. I loved that it addressed the way teenagers felt and I even bought it that Flip and Billy had that make-out session (there are very high statistics suggesting that most "straight" guys have had some sort of homosexual encounter, so I totally bought into that scene) and I believed in it when he ran off. Billy, invest in some curtains...
I have a lesbian friend who frequently used to fall for straight girls and she was frequently heartbroken, and then it broke my heart with her, because it ALWAYS sucks when you can't have the person you want, whatever the reasons are. Like I said, I consistently fall for the wrong guys and as far as I know gender was never a factor into why we didn't work out.
I am all for a happy ending, and I was rooting for Billy to teach those jerks in his school a lesson, and I was really glad when he stood up to the guy who attacked him. And I cried when they attacked him and I hated that no one stood up for him or helped him (except of course Flip!) But, I just think Flip underwent quite the transformation that most teenagers wouldn't have had. If they were adults maybe it would have worked for me.
I wanted Billy to get a super hot, nice, cool boyfriend--even Flip but he didn't seem real to me. But all the other teens in the book seemed fairly real to me. They were all petty and had total mob mentality, EXCEPT Flip who was perfect in every way. He never succumbed to peer pressure. Maybe I'm a cynic, but no one is that perfect.
But, I do want a tiara. And, I thought it was adorable when Flip bought Billy one even if I didn't get his character.
I KNOW I said before that I am all for the suspension of disbelief, but this book seemed to be striving for so much more. I loved that it addressed the way teenagers felt and I even bought it that Flip and Billy had that make-out session (there are very high statistics suggesting that most "straight" guys have had some sort of homosexual encounter, so I totally bought into that scene) and I believed in it when he ran off. Billy, invest in some curtains...
I have a lesbian friend who frequently used to fall for straight girls and she was frequently heartbroken, and then it broke my heart with her, because it ALWAYS sucks when you can't have the person you want, whatever the reasons are. Like I said, I consistently fall for the wrong guys and as far as I know gender was never a factor into why we didn't work out.
I am all for a happy ending, and I was rooting for Billy to teach those jerks in his school a lesson, and I was really glad when he stood up to the guy who attacked him. And I cried when they attacked him and I hated that no one stood up for him or helped him (except of course Flip!) But, I just think Flip underwent quite the transformation that most teenagers wouldn't have had. If they were adults maybe it would have worked for me.
I wanted Billy to get a super hot, nice, cool boyfriend--even Flip but he didn't seem real to me. But all the other teens in the book seemed fairly real to me. They were all petty and had total mob mentality, EXCEPT Flip who was perfect in every way. He never succumbed to peer pressure. Maybe I'm a cynic, but no one is that perfect.
But, I do want a tiara. And, I thought it was adorable when Flip bought Billy one even if I didn't get his character.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
New Class, Same Blog, Now with More Twilight
If anyone reads past this blog entry they will see that often my blog was a liar. I have not looked, nor thought about this blog since the class I started it for ended. It was never particularly thematic nor did it go to any great lengths to be very good. (I am writing in a weird tense to take the blame off myself. The blog lied, the blog was not good, not me...sure.)
But clean slate and all that. I will try harder. (Me this time, not the blog.)
Moving on.
Twilight...I LOVE it. I cannot help myself. I do not post to fan forums but I occasionally check them. When I read the books last year I was instantly hooked. I have badgered the majority of my friends into reading them. However, I did hate the movie, it proved to me that despite my love of teenage vampire escapism, I really am 27 years old and it was hard to sit through.
That being said, I also hate close analysis of the storyline and or what it is teaching young girls about relationships. I am sure if I had a boyfriend who confessed to sneaking in through my window I'd be thoroughly creeped out. And, I probably wouldn't enjoy always being told what to do and who she can hang out with the way Bella is. And, there were parts of it that are slightly moralistic and even didactic--SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE WILL DAMN YOU TO HELL. Oops, sorry Edward, if vampires are damned, I'll save you a seat in hell, just in case you ever do get yourself killed (most likely defending Bella, I am unconvinced that someone that unfortunate in life became THE perfect vampire in two hours.)
All of these things aside, I think there is a time and a place to suspend our disbelief and just enjoy a made-up world and a good story. No, Stephenie Meyer isn't the greatest writer on Earth, but neither was J.R.R Tolkien, but most people don't argue all over the place about how people shouldn't read that. It sort of feels sexist, but it's probably not. I'm thinking up conflicting arguments here, and don't feel like following any of them to their logical ends.
When I was reading Twilight I wasn't thinking anything and just being totally engrossed in the story. And, I think that's a good thing and indicative of a good writer. I don't know if it's a classic that will endure for all times, but there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of novels written over that last few hundred years that were wildly popular but have since fallen out of favor...but some haven't.
I'm thinking James Fenimore Cooper, of Last of the Mohegans fame. He was also panned by writers of his day, (Mark Twain--of course he won this battle) and JFC is pretty terrible, but there is a niche for nearly everyone, so why condemn it?
I haven't always been a huge fan of popular fiction, but I see the need it fills and I can't really argue against it anymore. I don't generally read or like the most popular books. But, some I have. This sort of embarrasses me. But, it shouldn't. Life isn't a race to see who can prove their intellectual superiority by reading totally scholarly, obscure fiction. Being entertained has value too.
I'm not sure how much sense this makes. So, in conclusion, I love Twilight and am not embarrassed by it.
But clean slate and all that. I will try harder. (Me this time, not the blog.)
Moving on.
Twilight...I LOVE it. I cannot help myself. I do not post to fan forums but I occasionally check them. When I read the books last year I was instantly hooked. I have badgered the majority of my friends into reading them. However, I did hate the movie, it proved to me that despite my love of teenage vampire escapism, I really am 27 years old and it was hard to sit through.
That being said, I also hate close analysis of the storyline and or what it is teaching young girls about relationships. I am sure if I had a boyfriend who confessed to sneaking in through my window I'd be thoroughly creeped out. And, I probably wouldn't enjoy always being told what to do and who she can hang out with the way Bella is. And, there were parts of it that are slightly moralistic and even didactic--SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE WILL DAMN YOU TO HELL. Oops, sorry Edward, if vampires are damned, I'll save you a seat in hell, just in case you ever do get yourself killed (most likely defending Bella, I am unconvinced that someone that unfortunate in life became THE perfect vampire in two hours.)
All of these things aside, I think there is a time and a place to suspend our disbelief and just enjoy a made-up world and a good story. No, Stephenie Meyer isn't the greatest writer on Earth, but neither was J.R.R Tolkien, but most people don't argue all over the place about how people shouldn't read that. It sort of feels sexist, but it's probably not. I'm thinking up conflicting arguments here, and don't feel like following any of them to their logical ends.
When I was reading Twilight I wasn't thinking anything and just being totally engrossed in the story. And, I think that's a good thing and indicative of a good writer. I don't know if it's a classic that will endure for all times, but there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of novels written over that last few hundred years that were wildly popular but have since fallen out of favor...but some haven't.
I'm thinking James Fenimore Cooper, of Last of the Mohegans fame. He was also panned by writers of his day, (Mark Twain--of course he won this battle) and JFC is pretty terrible, but there is a niche for nearly everyone, so why condemn it?
I haven't always been a huge fan of popular fiction, but I see the need it fills and I can't really argue against it anymore. I don't generally read or like the most popular books. But, some I have. This sort of embarrasses me. But, it shouldn't. Life isn't a race to see who can prove their intellectual superiority by reading totally scholarly, obscure fiction. Being entertained has value too.
I'm not sure how much sense this makes. So, in conclusion, I love Twilight and am not embarrassed by it.
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