I loooove sites like Fail Blog and Engrish Funny, so I am kinda loving Awful Library Books. It's like Fail Blog for the "literary" world. I put the word "literary" in quotes cause uh, these books are not examples of the best of the best in literature, but that's what makes it hilarious. The blog was started by 2 Detroit librarians, Mary Kelly and Holly Hibner, and their aim is to just highlight some of the worst books found on local library shelves. There's a nice article in Time about who they are and the impact their blog has had on...librarians. =P
But really, I think my favorite book on the site so far is the one on the left. It's always been my dream to be a homemaker, so I'm gonna have to track this copy down! And yes, I am kidding. Sorta.
You can follow them on twitter, too.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Awful Library Books
Thursday, April 23, 2009
O happy dagger!
Literary nerds everywhere are celebrating William Shakespeare's 445th birthday today. How, you might ask?
Well, besides having Shakespearean discussions on his many famous plays, Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, Illinois, has declared today to be "Talk Like Shakespeare Day."
So unleash thy inner bard and nerd out with thine friends.
(And yes, the title of today's post is one of my favorite lines from Romeo & Juliet)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Books, Books Everywhere ..
In case you didn't know, I LOVE reading.
I'm always down to read some classics (Pride and Prejudice FTW), as well as some newbies (Twilight series FTW). Really, if someone recommends a book for me to read, I will read it (unless it's one of those romance novels with Fabio on the cover -_-).
Anyway, I love seeing book lists to compare what I've read and to see what I should perhaps be reading. Nerdy, I know, but I blame summer reading lists (which I totally loved and conquered!). NERDATRON!
Here's the top 10 books from USA Today's top 100 titles of 2008:
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
3. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
4. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
5. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
6. The Shack by William P. Young
7. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
8. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
9. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
10. The Appeal by John Grisham
Monday, December 29, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 2) The Twilight Phenomenon
Much has already been discussed on this blog about the Twilight series, both the books and the film. For restoring interest in reading again, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to the 4 books that make up the Twilight series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. For the author who created the most talked about fictional characters we've seen in awhile, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to Stephenie Meyer. For the actors who made those characters come to life on the big screen and made tween girls squeal with delight, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and the rest of the Twilight cast. And for the millions of teen girls, not-so-teen-anymore girls, and everyone else who took part in the phenomenon, the Entertainer of the Year title also goes to you. You can see where I'm going with this? Collectively, everyone and everything involved with Twilight mania is my pick for 2008 Entertainer of the Year #2 spot.
The Twilight phenomenon is actually nothing new, but it reached its peak in 2008. The first book was published back in 2005 to a lot of fanfare, leading to 3 sequels, the last of which was released this past August to a frenzy. Books don't usually drive people in droves to to their nearest bookstore, so the fact that the last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, sold 1.3 million copies in the first day of its release is super impressive. And of course, we had the film version of Twilight, which also broke all kinds of crazy records when it was released in November. By mid-December, Twilight has grossed over $175 million. It has also made superstars out of the young cast, especially Robert Pattinson, who made girls all over the country swoon and faint with his every move, and who now regularly graces the pages of US Weekly and other tabloids.
It doesn't look like the Twilight mania will die down anytime soon in 2009. Production/filming of the second movie, New Moon, is set to begin in March, with a goal of a November release. With director/cast shakeups already, the film is going to be much talked about throughout the year even before it is released. So, Twilight fans, congratulations on being a part of a huge pop culture phenomenon, and see you back here next year!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Twilight owns my life (and this blog)
Not to Twilight you all out, but... like Julia mentioned, I too, have become a pretty big Twilight fan. We like to introduce each other to stuff we can't live without- I introduced her to How I Met Your Mother/High School Musical, she introduced me to...the Twilight phenomenon. Yes, I still feel weird saying out loud, "hey, this vampire love stuff is really entertaining!" I mean how much more lamer can you get? But, folks, it SO is entertaining. And the thing is, Julia and I are far from being the only ones who are into it. Sold out mall tours, fainting fans, basically everything you would equate with like a pop act like the BSB or NSYNC in their heyday mania is... Twilight. The upcoming release of the film version of Twilight (this Friday, Nov. 21!) has got teenage (and not so teenage) girls and boys in a tizzy.
I like entertainment/pop culture facts and figures like boys like sports statistics, so let's examine the phenomenon in numbers, shall we:
* Twilight (2005), New Moon (2006), Eclipse (2007), and Breaking Dawn (2008) (the 4 books in the series) have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, in 37 countries.
* Breaking Dawn, the 4th and most recent, sold 1.3 million copies on the FIRST day of its release.
* For this weekend's film release, Fandango has already sold out almost 700 shows -- including 500 or so midnight Thursday screenings, and MovieTickets counted more than 400 sellouts of various showtimes.
* Twilight accounted for more than 85% of presales in recent days (me and Julia included, we purchased our tickets for Friday)
* Director Catherine Hardwick estimates the movie needs to make at least $150 million for the studio to consider making a sequel. Many people in the industry believe a $40 million-plus opening is a given, $50 million or more is quite possible, even $60 million is ambitious but doable.
SO, COME ON FELLOW TEENYBOPPERS, let's go show Hollywood how powerful we can be! I am confident we will be seeing a sequel. T-3!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Banned Books Week
It's Banned Books Week this week, so why don't you celebrate your freedom to read by picking up a banned book? Here is a list of books that were challenged or banned in 2008. In celebration, libraries and bookstores around the country are holding various events that you might want to check out. Some of my favorite books of allll time are on the list: Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep, Lois Lowry's The Giver, Toni Morrison's Beloved, Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, pretty much all of the Harry Potter books. And, one of Julia's favorites, Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. There are some really good books on the list.
Isn't it interesting that we go watch movies with violence and sex all the time without a second thought, yet books get banned or challenged for a gamut of things, like one "inappropriate" sex scene or curse word whatever? My favorite book, J.D. Salinger's A Catcher in the Rye, holds the distinction of being the most censored book AND the second most taught book in the US. And the main reason for censorship? Vulgar language. If I recall correctly, Holden says the F-word once in the entire novel. The fact that these books have been banned or challenged for whatever reason (whether you think the reasons are valid or not) makes them that much more intriguing, no? Books can be exciting!! :D Yeah?? Happy reading.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Party of the Day: Harry Potter Anniversary at Scholastic Headquarters
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the release for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone TODAY, the Scholastic Store headquarters will be hosting a read-a-thon for the novel (Harry Potter Cover to Cover Day). The first 100 readers will get a free copy of the 10th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, whereas all participants of the read-a-thon will not only get to sit in the same seat that JK Rowling, herself, sat in when reading at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall - but you get a free mystery souvenir! And there will be a few mystery celebrities there to participate in the reading fun...
The read-a-thon begins at 8AM, but you might want to be there earlier!(blog.scholastic.com)
--
Yes, yes, I am a nerd -_-
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Obsession of the Week: Twilight Series
Yes, I've gone to the dark side.
After hearing about this particular series for months, I finally gave in. It was innocent - curiosity got the best of me. I had nothing else to read, the current book I was reading was mindless (augh, it got so bad that I started reading chick lit!) .. and then I was hooked.
I actually feel a bit ashamed for admitting to it because a) it's about vampires. I mean, not really cool (especially from a girl who loves the Harry Potter series, in all its wizardly goodness). And b) this was the book that people have been calling the "new" Harry Potter series! I was appalled. Nothing could compare.
But after finishing the Twilight series, I'll admit that it was a good read. I mean, the last book didn't really draw me in as much as the first one did, but it did its job: it kept me reading. And I guess it that sense, I can see the parallel to the Harry Potter series, as it kept the reader wanting more.
But unlike the Harry Potter series, it definitely isn't a book for all - a lot more females read this book (I seriously have not met a male reader), probably because of the whole Romeo & Juliet-esque romance, with the two main characters being somewhat of a pair of star-crossed lovers. Not to say that boys won't enjoy a good romance, but in that sense, Harry Potter has its mass appeal.
Overall, the Twilight series is a good read in its own way. And that's good enough for me.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Book of the Day: Twilight
After a whole summer of rereading some oldies, but goodies, and going through mindless other books, I finally found something worth reading.
I was pretty reluctant to read Twilight, but once I started, it was hard for me to stop. I'm currently on the final book of the series, but really, the first book stood out by far for me.
And of course, it helps that the movie is coming out soon (replacing Harry Potter's original release date), and that the actor who played Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) will be playing the lead role of Edward Cullen (he was pretty hawt in the Harry Potter films, but not too sure about his chalk-white vampire look for the Twilight movie..).
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Where to Buy Cheap Textbooks
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with some friends who had graduated in May about how they are sad that they aren't going back to school. Jorge and I agreed that we don't actually miss going to school, we just miss the idea of going back to school. Because, in reality, college was annoying, difficult, and expensive.
One of the most difficult and most annoying aspects of college was buying textbooks. Or, as I like to call it, spending $600 on overpriced pieces of paper that will hardly be used.
I was always too lazy to ditch the convenience of the college bookstore in order to save money. But if you're looking to get textbooks on the cheap, Lifehacker has a good poll asking their readers for the best places to find deals on textbooks.
So far, it seems like the big winners are Half.com, Bigwords.com, Bookfinder.com, and Addall.com. Check out the rest of the comments to find more suggestions.
So if you're still in college and need to buy textbooks, online is definitely the way to go. And to those that still feel that they miss school, look at your bank account and be glad you don't have to buy a single soft-cover book for $100.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Best News EVER!
Following the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling wrote The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which was mentioned in the 7th book. The only catch: she made 7 handwritten copies, complete with her own illustrations, and gave 6 of the 7 to her close friends. The 7th book? Sold to Amazon.com at an auction for 2 million pounds (or $4 million).
But in hopes to raise money for charity, The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be published on December 4, 2008, with Amazon selling a special collector's leather-bound edition for $100. The new edition will include all of Rowling's original illustrations, as well as comments by Albus Dumbledore.
Nerdy news? Yes! But really, for all die-hard Harry Potter fans, this is BIG NEWS.
Now my friends will know what to get me for Christmas ..
P.S. - Happy Birthday to Harry Potter! (which makes sense about J.K. Rowling's "gift" to her fans)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trailer
Harry Potter fans rejoice! The first official trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is here .. and oh boy, it looks freaking grood (good + great).
Anyone who knows me will tell you how much of a Harry Potter fan I am. And the 6th book coming to the big screen? I don't even think that the movie can eff it up for me (don't even get me started about how much better the books are, and about how the past 5 movies have taken away from the many details in the series) because the 6th book was THAT good (in my opinion). The trailer itself gave me the chills!
And I think it's kind of cool that Ralph Fiennes's 10-year-old nephew plays the younger Tom Riddle/Voldemort in Half-Blood Prince. For those who don't know, Ralph Fiennes plays the adult Lord Voldemort.
Yeah, yeah. I'm a nerd. But you can bet your money that on November 21, 2008, I'll be watching this in theaters.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Late Night Readings
I clearly remember the day the whole sixth grade class got the class polls to fill in each category with a classmate who best fit it. Throughout the day friends, foes, and even the people I barely talked to came up to me to tell me that they put my name down as the class bookworm. Nerdy, yes. But hey, if you thumb through my old elementary school yearbook, you'll see a proud picture of myself, voted as the [female] sixth grade class "Bookworm." Represent.
With that said, I love reading. Nothing can be more pleasant than finding a great book that takes you to another time or place. And living the busy lives we have, doing whatever takes up time, I've found it best to read before turning in for the night. But I have this habit of rereading some oldies but goodies at least once every three months or so. Why? Some books make you have that good, nostalgic feeling. Other books make you discover new things about it, each time you read it. And for the most part, a select few number of books are just too damn good. But to each their own.
Anyway, here's a few of the current books that are in rotation for this bookworm's readings before bed.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (or any of the Harry Potter books) - Say what you want about J.K. Rowling, but I think she's bloody brilliant. Haters refuse to go near her series, yet their ignorance has kept them from reading probably one of the greatest books of our time. Readers can get easily lost in the world of Hogwarts, and true Potter fans comb through each novel for clues which led up to the final book of the series. And what better way to go to sleep, after having your conscious mind wander into a world in its own?
Pride and Prejudice - If you're a well-read girl, Pride and Prejudice is the crème de la crème of must-read novels. From the witty writing to the memorable characters, true Janeites know that deep down inside, Mr. Darcy is their first love. Also, it probably helps if you are going through an Austen phase :x
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - This book has impacted the way I feel about reading and writing in so many ways. From the innocent and observant narration of Charlie to his dynamic relationships with other characters, The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been dubbed The Catcher in the Rye for our generation. It's not really a recommended read for everyone, but anyone with appreciation for life should read this.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Book: Annie Leibovitz's A Photographer's Life
Title: A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005
Author: Annie Leibovitz
Release Date: October 3, 2006
Genre: Art, Photography
No. of pages: 472
Annie Leibovitz is arguably one of the most prolific, well-known photographers working today, and if you've ever glanced at a Vanity Fair or Vogue cover, then you've most likely seen her work. Every year that Vanity Fair has had their Hollywood issue fold out cover is every year that Leibovitz has photographed Hollywood's finest and brightest for the annual issue, which you can check out here.
While she may have made a name for herself by photographing famous people (everyone from Nicole Kidman to Johnny Cash to President Bush and his cabinet), A Photographer's Life is filled with more intimate photographs of her family and her late partner, Susan Sontag, interspersed with her portraits of famous subjects. On a side note, Susan Sontag was a literary theorist, writer, filmmaker and activist, whose essay "On Photography," is one of the most analyzed and discussed essays about the art of photography.
Anyways, in the introduction, Leibovitz writes, 'I don't have two lives. This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.' That pretty much sums up the book. It's really interesting to see the juxtaposition of the photographs that have made her who she is as a person (the documentation of her family and close relationships), as well as a careerwoman (the photographs of the famous people that have made her famous).
And while she is best known for the glossy, glamorous photographs that don magazine covers and billboards, the photos that particularly struck me were the everyday documentation of her private life. There is joy in photographs of family reunions, her children, and births, but she also is very frank in photographing her loves in their moments of illness, grief, and deaths. The snapshots of Sontag lying in her hospital bed, as well as shots from her funeral are so matter-of-fact that you almost don't realize the gravity of the situation.
Those who are just fans of Leibovitz's famous work will probably not derive much enjoyment from this collection. After all, more than half the photographs are either ordinary photos of Sontag or ordinary photos of her family. But to appreciate her as an artist, I feel like A Photographer's Life is an important collection. Throughout the book you see the love she has for her career in her public body of work, just as clearly as you see the open expression of love she has for the people in her life in her private body of work. It's a really interesting coffee table book that deserves a look-through.
This is not in the book, but here is one of my all-time favorite works of hers, from a Vanity Fair cover a few years back. Awesome. Or should I say, hotness.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Complete Jane Austen Series
Starting this Sunday, January 13, Masterpiece Theater's The Complete Jane Austen will be running on PBS through March. The lit geek in me is coming out, but modern literature owes so much to Ms. Austen's genius. Her works have become some of the most loved, discussed, and re-adapted oeuvres in the history of English lit. Even if you've never picked up a book of hers, her influence seeps into modern culture- Clueless (based on Emma), You've Got Mail (loosely based on the ideas found in Pride & Prejudice), not to mention countless other remakes of Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and Pride & Prejudice). The series will feature new adaptations of "Mansfield Park," "Northanger Abbey," "Persuasion," and "Sense & Sensibility," as well as "Emma" with Kate Beckinsale and "Pride & Prejudice" with Colin Firth (swooooon!). So, something for everyone.
I know it might look 'boring' to some of you, but don't knock it until you try it. Believe me, I don't like period pieces either. But when you read/watch her works, you realize just how much of the modern day stuff you read and see are influenced by the words she wrote hundreds of years ago. In the very least, check out the classic '95 adaptation of "Pride & Prejudice" (airing 2/10-2/24), which made women everywhere want to be Mrs. Colin Firth. Join the millions of Austen-ites who have fallen in love with her works. Love, love, love! Oh, and you're welcome.
