"Can you resist the allure of Edward's myriad charms-his ocher eyes and tousled hair, the cadence of his speech, his chiseled alabasterskin, and his gratuitous charm? Will you hunt surreptitiously and tolerate the ceaselessdeluge in Forks to evade the sun and uphold thefacade? Join Edward and Bella as you learn more than 600 vocabulary words to improve your score on the *SAT, ACT®, GED®, and SSAT® exams!"
In a few more words: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Isn't I Love You, Beth Cooper the name of that predictable-looking high school rom-com staring some curly-haired kid and that chick from Heroes?
The short answer is: yes, and that's largely why I was reluctant to read the book. But after hearing several proclamations of its hilariousity and that its author, Larry Doyle, used to write for The Simpsons, I was curious to say the least. So I put down some $ and picked up the trade paperback in its original cover's cartoonish glory, and am I glad I did.
The story is pretty much what the title advertises: nerdy valedictorian and otherwise person non-grata in high school Denis Cooverman announces he's in love with head cheerleader Beth Cooper during his graduation speech (which also contains other revelations about the school populace until he's forcibly silenced). Then comes the fallout in the muscle-bound package of Beth's giant army boyfriend, his goons and some fun random violence. Rich, Denis' film-buff of a best friend, serves as an amicable sidekick in the adventure along with Beth's friends. It's funny, smart and dare I say refreshing for the kind of novel in this genre. I probably won't be seeing the movie but the book is worth picking up if you like your humor with the occasional dose of violence, bodily fluids and towel-snapping. (And you know you do. Don't lie.)
If you aren't acquainted with the world StiegLarsson created in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, here's some things you need to know:
- it's a little violent,
- it's a little graphic, and
- it's very Swedish.
On the surface, The Girl Who Played With Fire is a suspenseful page-turner and murder mystery much like its predecessor; the difference is that the murder in question has a deeply personal connection to the unpredictable protagonist Lisbeth Salander. (Readers of Larsson's first novel will note that while Lisbeth played a starring role among its cast, the mystery introduced revolved more around the trials of journalist Mikael Blomkvist.) The case at hand occurs when two investigators looking into the sex trafficking trade in Sweden are found murdered in their apartment with Lisbeth's fingerprints on the weapon used. While Blomkvist works to clear her name, Lisbeth is forced to face the brutal past responsible for shaping her character. And though her stubbornness grates at times, I can appreciate a ruthless heroine who refuses to whimper and back into a corner when faced with a dangerous situation and wait for a knight in shining armor to glitter her way to freedom.
Other players in this novel include Mikael Blomkvist, the journalist who believes Lisbeth innocent, unconventional supporters of Lisbeth including boxer Paolo Roberto (one of my favorite characters in the story) and her former boss DraganArmansky, diabolical creeps such as Bjurman, the so-called guardian Lisbeth was assigned to after being determined mentally "incompetent" (readers of the first novel will recognize him with disgust), members of the Swedish police force who have extremely polarizing attitudes to the case at hand, corrupt politicians and the ambiguous Zala, who holds the key to this mystery.
In this novel, Larsson attacks the sex trafficking industry, political corruption and the harsh reality of sexism in society with great gutso. While this novel doesn't boast quite as much graphic imagery as his previous one, he still has an important story to tell that makes you think. Published posthumously, readers have one more title to look forward to from Larsson after this and I for one will be first in line when it hits the shelves.
Books: The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author: Khaled Hosseini
In a word: Mesmerizing.
In a few more words:
Evocative. Compelling. Illuminating. Yes, I stole these words from the back cover of these books but they definitely apply to each!
First on the docket: The Kite Runner
I'd often heard of this book in the past but it wasn't until my friend suggested I read it that I actually went out of my way to pick it up - and I'm glad I did. In its core, The Kite Runner deals with the subject of atonement and the complexities of friendship between two people of different class and character. There isn't much more that I can say about the book that hasn't been said by a billion reviewers already; instead, let me just agree with the accolades it's been given. The story has characters that you feel for, and it's ending is both heartbreaking and optimistic at the same time. Great read.
Next on the docket: A Thousand Splendid Suns
With high expectations, I picked up Hosseini's sophomore debut not longer after finishing The Kite Runner. I can safely say that those expectations were exceeded. To quote the Washington Post: "In case you're wondering whether [A Thousand Splendid Suns]is as good as The Kite Runner, here's the answer: no. It's better."
This novel tells the story of two different women from very different circumstances who find themselves in the same precarious situation, and how they progress to allies. The changing political climate of Afghanistan serves as the backdrop for the events in the book, putting faces and depth behind the headlines in the news. Instead of adopting a linear timeline like The Kite Runner, this book moves between the women to tell their individual stories and allow them to give their own perspectives. This isn't just a great read, it's an important one as well.
Yup, it's been a while since my last post. Why, you ask? I was on an international voyage on the behalf of a classified spy agency from which I just returned. During my precarious trip, I was tasked with infiltrating the dark underbelly of some of the world's most secret and deadly organizations. After beating back the dark forces of corruption and evil, I fought to return home while in possession of my memories, which I so narrowly escaped with.
Either that or I've been working and lazy.
Things I've done this month (not part of my action-packed adventures in espionage, of course):
I went to see the Lion King (from Broadway Across Canada) live, finally, and let me say it was an amazing experience. From the beginning, I got chills and they sure were multiplyin'! (Yes, I know, I should drop out of school and go into stand-up comedy.) Kidding aside, the costumes, the music, the performances...everything was pitch-perfect and I can only imagine how much work must've gone into getting the production just right. Absolutely beautiful. I would be hard pressed to find a "favorite" thing about it but I loved the actor/puppeteer who played Zazu, he captured everything that made the character great in the original cartoon.
On the 18th, I got the opportunity to see the Arkells and Pilot Speed live in concert outdoors. I use the word "opportunity" on purpose because I didn't actually get to see Pilot Speed...rather, I was band-blocked by a tornado warning that came after the Arkells performed a decent but slightly hard to understand set. Within seconds the sky went black, gravel went flying, benches blew over, people were running and yelling...it was tumultuous to say the least, but as the naive storm-goer I am, it was a tad exciting. If you've ever wondered what a carnival looks like after it's been shut down, wonder no longer for I can tell you that (dun dun DUN): it's vaguely unsettling.
A few days after that debacle, I saw Marianas Trench live in what was a pretty good show, save for a few thousand screaming fangirls. In doing so I got rather beat up (been a while since I've been in a mosh pit, and hot damn are those fourteen year-olds vicious!) but it wasn't for naught as my friend and I managed to shove my way up to the fourth row of people. They had great energy and easygoing banter, plus played all my favorite songs of theirs (Celebrity Status, Shake Tramp, Cross My Heart). One moment I wish I photographed was where one girl excitedly threw her bra onstage, only to have misjudged the distance and have it land in some poor guy's face. Stereos of MTV fame opened up for them...not terrible but not exceptionally memorable to me. I would've looked on their performance more favorably were it not for the attempted crotch-grabs made by the lead singer, but it looks like my opinion is of the minority since they have a huge following.
Lastly, I read some good - no, scratch that - great books. More on those later. In the meantime, I'll finish off this supremely long catch-up post with a video: MUTO, a creepy and crazy and ultimately awesome street-art inspired video recommended to me by a coworker a while ago.
Been reading up a storm as of late! As such, I don't have much time to blog in-depth about the recent books I've read so these mini-reviews will have to do...
The Catcher In The Rye - J. D. Salinger
Not much to say other than it's a tight read and a classic, starring a protagonist who I found to be both maddening and hilarious. I regret not reading it sooner.
When You Are Engulfed In Flames - David Sedaris
I laughed, though not as much as I was expecting to, this being my first David Sedaris book - that is, until I watched him read some of his essays on YouTube (which I recommend to anyone who hasn't done so before) - then I "got it", so to speak. Great voice, and I mean that both literarily and figuratively. Looking forward to reading some of his earlier works.
Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
Epic, immersing and possibly the fastest 850 (!) pages I've ever read. Perhaps a tad overhyped - it takes a little while for things to get moving - but just a tad, and as it heads to the end it picks up quite spectacularly. Interesting characters (which include a dashing leading man); fun escapism.
Your Heart Belongs To Me - Dean Koontz
Thankfully I borrowed this book from the library so the only thing I wasted on it was my time. After stacking a bajillion of Mr. Koontz's books in the "Horror" section of the bookstore I work at next to all the Stephen King's, I decided to check out this chap's apparent "bestselling" title since I hadn't heard much of him before. Maybe I just don't agree with his writing style, but it was disappointing and about as scary as a pencil to boot. *
*Note that some pencils can in fact be quite frightening. It may be more suitable to change the word "pencil" to "eraser" as those are relatively harmless.
