Gettin my nails did

How technologically advanced am I, blogging while getting a pedicure (autocorrect on my phone wanted to change that to 'clogging,' which would actually be more exciting if I could clog and get a pedi simultaneously!)? Really, I thought my book was in my car, but I took my school bag out last night before heading to Brooke's. I really need to start working on the traveling with a book part of my life. Ideally I could link my phone and my kindle, because, let's be honest, I rarely am without my phone, but I am such a stickler for real books, I can't justify buying electronic copies of books I can simply borrow, from friends or the library.

Ohhhh the asian man just started rubbing that oil stuff into my legs and feet. Heaven, honestly. I can't really afford regular pedicures, and really, it is a splurge, but the place I go is only 20 bucks, and the time in the massaging chair is worth the 20 dollars alone. Lower back kneading? Foot massage? I can feel the stress just melting away.
Back to reality.

I am almost finished with Water for Elephants, and, no, I have no interest in seeing the film once finished. I'm a big read the book before seeing the movie person, and I'm pretty sure the only film I've seen where I never read the book was The Andromeda Strain (random, I know). I love the Harry Potter films, but on a separate level from the novels, which are infinitely better. I also even try and read books that tie into a television show (True Blood, for instance). And I say now I don't want to see the film, but I will probably watch it when it's free OnDemand or something like that. As much as I disliked the last few (aka all but the first) Twilight books, I did watch the film because it was on tv for free. I was painting my nails (interesting... is there a connection?) and knitting, so it was a random night, but I figured I'd give it a shot.
It was horrible.

Why do we even bother? Why do we need film adaptations, when many of them are disappointing? Well, besides the obvious 'so I can show them to my students when we finish the novels answer, what reasons do we have? Some films are wonderful, but like covers of songs, unless you are bringing something new and its fantastic, why bother?

According to sources -- okay, my 17 year old students -- there are talks of turning The Catcher in the Rye into a movie, I suppose since Salinger is dead (RIP you racist man... I love you) and can't complain. I think this is a terrible decision for a novel that has been relevant to teenagers for over 60 years. Kids already refuse to read, and Catcher is at least one that about half end up enjoying, but once they make a movie version, what motivation do they have to pick up the book?
Also, wouldn't it make a terrible movie? They would play up the prostitute scene, focus on the 'Fuck You' sections, and probably cut out anything where Holden gets off topic. Oh, wait. That's the entire novel.

They also said they had picked an actor to play Holden. Someone unknown? I asked, thinking that was the only reasonable route. No, no, Ms. Beck. Oh, no.

Justin Bieber.

Oh FUCK no. If this is true, I'm boycotting Hollywood forever (Holden would be proud). But honestly, the biebs? Who has probably avoided the angsty teenage years by becoming famous at 9, or whenever, and having an altogether lucky, blessed, easy life? How could someone bastardize a classic favorite in that way?

How do you feel about movie versions? The Time Traveler's Wife was hideous, that's for sure. Oh, and I suppose I saw The Notebook and never read the book but, really, who did read that book? Nicholas Sparks (and Justin Bieber) can suck it.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Double Pneumonia

So I'm sitting in the doctors office (doctor's? Doctors'? Does the office belong to the doctors?) and the only thing I keep thinking is 'man I wish I'd brought a book.' But, alas, I left Water for Elephants on my desk at work, and instead decided to update my blog. Is it still a win?
You may be wondering why on earth I'm spending part of my afternoon in this stuffy, claustrophobic room that smells like rubbing alcohol and cotton. Well, I've had a cold for a little over a week, and it's simply not going away. I wouldn't normally care, but last time I wrote it off, it turned into double pneumonia which then turned into bronchitis. I don't think I have anything, really, but it's just getting frustrating that I've been doped up on sudafed and Tylenol all week, and my nose is still clogged, I'm still coughing up mucus, and I feel like crap. And I wish I had a book.

Update: ear infection and respiratory infection, easily cured. Some medication, lots of fluids, and rest. Guess I'll be reading at home after all. maybe I should go grab my book from work...

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

You can call me the book whisperer

On my to do list for today? Update my blog! And in other exciting news, I've been reading! Because it's the end of the semester, two of my classes are sans seniors, which means I have 3 students in each class. That's right: 3 students. It's been fantastic so far; I've assigned them a film project (the first presentation is tomorrow) and some independent reading.

I decided to make the book requirements minimum, since my students just simply don't read, in order to make them more likely to pick something enjoyable or interesting. The book has to fit in with the themes of our class, and in Multicultural Lit, there are pretty universal themes. Does the book discuss identity? Perseverance? Is it about a cultural group, or people who don't fit in a cultural group? Okay, cool, that book is fine by me. Of my 6, 4 of them asked me for a suggestion, and after hearing their interests and what movies or books they like, I gave out the following selections:
American Born Chinese
Monster
Angus, thongs, and full-frontal snogging
Violet and Claire

Guess what? They all LOVE the book I offered. Mariah and Mark already finished their books, Emmie is almost done with hers, and Tyrell is a story all his own. He's reading 2 books, because he also wanted to read the 7th Harry Potter book. And even more than them liking the books they picked, they really enjoy the reading time in class. Having such a small group lets me discuss with them individually, which is so satisfying as a teacher.

The other part I love is that they wanted me to do independent reading along with them. So here I am, 115 pages into Water for Elephants, doing journal entries and sharing in class. We sit around in the comfy chairs and read, and when I tried to grade some papers the other day, they insisted I read. It's fantastic!

I find that giving book suggestions, like recommending films or music, is tricky ground. You want to offer something worthwhile, taking the other person into consideration, but it's also easy to get caught up in something you just simply love. Most book suggestions I've given have been positively received, so, boom, there you go. I'm the book whisperer.

Water for Elephants, on the other hand, was recommended to me. By everyone I know who reads. Yeah, it took me a while, but I love it so far! (Still in the middle of Memoirs of a Geisha and Grendel).

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8