Seeing the Story – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (English)

Theatrical release poster | Wikipedia

Fincher, D., Rudin, S., Zaillian, S., Wallen, M., Faurbye, F. A., Søndberg, O., Stærmose, S., … Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Firm). (2012). The girl with the dragon tattoo. Culver City, Calif: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Reasons for Watching: I read all three books in The Millennium Trilogy over the summer. Since I didn’t make it to the cinema to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I requested the DVD via HCPL.

Summary : The paths of convicted journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and young, asocial computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) cross as Blomkvist works to “write” the biography of wealthy patriarch Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Really, Vanger wants Blomkvist to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Vanger’s grandniece, Harriet (Moa Garpendal). As Blomkvist and Salander collaborate, they uncover the ugly truth of one of Sweden’s richest families.  

Book to Movie Adaptation : The movie followed the first book quite faithfully. There were a couple of changes, of course. Yet, I’m not going to post those here as they took place in middle or latter part of the movie. I wish the plot line concerning Harriet Vanger hadn’t been skewed. Otherwise, I was happy.

Review : After reading the books, I was really excited to see the movie. I was uncertain about some of the actors but it was all good. I was riveted to the screen. Maybe I was rubber necking.

Three Out of Five Pearls 

 

Joseph J. Ellis’ Founding Brothers

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis | LibraryThing

Ellis, J. J., & Runger, N. (2001). Founding brothers: The revolutionary generation. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books. 9781402505393

Reasons for Reading:  I found the book on the shelf at the HCPL branch where I work. Partially inspired by my girlhood crush on Thomas Jefferson (or was it Ken Howard playing Jefferson in 1776?), I checked out this audiobook. The first copy I borrowed had a scratch so I had to request another copy. The bottom line, though, I eventually got to read this book!

Summary: In shades of Paul Harvey ”The Rest of the Story,” Ellis tells of the relationships between those the United States often refers to as the Founding Fathers – John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Ellis pinpoints six different moments which exhibit these relationships in their truest form. These include:

Burr and Hamilton’s deadly duel, and what may have really happened; Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison’s secret dinner, during which the seat of the permanent capital was determined in exchange for passage of Hamilton’s financial plan; Franklin’s petition to end the “peculiar institution” of slavery–his last public act–and Madison’s efforts to quash it; Washington’s precedent-setting Farewell Address, announcing his retirement from public office and offering his country some final advice; Adams’s difficult term as Washington’s successor and his alleged scheme to pass the presidency on to his son; and finally, Adams and Jefferson’s renewed correspondence at the end of their lives, in which they compared their different views of the Revolution and its legacy.   

- Joseph J. Ellis

Using these events, Ellis supports his claim that these men squabbled as though they were siblings.

What I Liked : Ellis excelled at filling in the blanks as he could. He rendered great portraits of these greats. I knew very little about Aaron Burr other than the “Got Milk?” commercial.

What I Disliked : I wasn’t crazy about the hopping around with the book. I wished Ellis had stayed closer to the original sequence of events.

Three Out of Five Pearls

Song: ‪But Mr. Adams – 1776 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – YouTube

Setting: Thirteen Colonies, The USA

You might also like:

• Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
• Don’t Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis
• Wolf By the Ears by Ann Rinaldi

For more on Joseph J. Ellis’ Founding brothers…, please check out the following links:

 

• Book review: Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation | Dark side of the moon
• Masonic Renaissance: Book Review: Founding Brothers
• Book review—The Founding Brothers | James Russell Ament

 

May Reader of the Month – Beverly B.

This is the fifth interview for Reader of the Month.

I met Beverly B. several years ago at my old church.  I liked Beverly right away as we’re both cat people and readers. Later, Beverly and I found ourselves in the same Bible Study group. As she often remains quiet in larger groups, I do listen when she speaks up. Read on and see what I’m saying!

1. What’s the best thing you’ve read in the past year?        

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah

Beverly and Her Granddaughter Enjoy A Book

Addison Allen

2. Do you have any quirks when it comes to reading? 

I really enjoy a good love story but I don’t want a blow by blow account of any sexual activities.  Leave something to the imagination.  I really like stories that are in eras gone by.

3. What’s on your bookshelf or in your book bag?  

The Hunger Games Trilogy, Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

4. Who supplies your reading material?   

Amazon.com via Kindle

5. What type of reading do you usually enjoy?  

Novels with a good plot that I can’t figure out with a little love story to them

6. Who are some authors that you read regardless of anything? 

John Grisham, Diana Gabaldon

7. What’s on your TBR (to be read) list?  

The Litigators by John Grisham, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

8. Can you recall a book that changed your life? How so? 

Actually it is a series of books by Philippa Carr that follows a family from the time of Queen Elizabeth I through World War II.  The first book is The Lion Triumphant, and continues on with 10 more books.  At the time I originally read these I was going through a difficult time in my life and trying to deal with how to handle death.  These books helped me to accept that we all have to die, that death is a part of life. 

9. What was something you enjoyed reading as a child? 

Greek Mythology

10. Where do you like to read? 

Prefer to be laying down on my daybed with a really soft blanket and a comfortable feather pillow

11. Other than reading, what do you like doing? 

Going to church, listening to music, working in the garden, mosaic and playing on the computer.  Want to learn weaving when I move to the country

12. Where can we find you online? 

Facebook

13. Would you like to make a shout out to any other avid readers that are online? 

Don’t have anyone in particular to shout out to but I enjoy getting ideas about authors I might want to check out.

14. How about sharing five random facts about you? 

Like alternative rock music, love my cat, can’t wait to retire next year, born on Friday the 13th, won first place in a beauty contest when I was 5 years old

 

 

Seeing the Story – The Firm

The Firm | Wikipedia

Cruise, T., Hackman, G., Tripplehorn, J., Davis, J., Rudin, S., Pollack, S., Paramount Pictures Corporation., … Mirage Productions. (2000). The firm. Hollywood, Calif.: Paramount.

Reasons for Watching: I saw the movie around the time it came out . . . on VHS. When I eventually picked up the audiobook, I discovered I was comparing it to a movie I’d thought I’d forgotten. Well, this time, I requested and checked it out from HCPL.

Summary : Young Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise) is ready to reap what he has sown. After years of sacrifice, he will graduate from Harvard Law and work in the prosperous world of tax law. When he’s approached by Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a prestigious Memphis law firm, he cannot turn down their offer. So, he and his lovely wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn) soon move to Memphis. The Firm assigns Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman) to be his mentor.  

Things are dandy. The McDeeres receive a house, a car, and lots of dough. Then, two associates at The Firm mysteriously die and the FBI contacts Mitch. At this point, the McDeeres find themselves in a waking nightmare.  

Book to Movie Adaptation : A number of events from the book didn’t make it to the movie. For a rather exhaustive list of the differences, check out this link at Wikipedia. I don’t want to spoil the ending of either work.  

Review : After reading the book, I imagined Mitch McDeere being more like Josh Lucas than Tom Cruise. Nonetheless, I consider this one of Cruise’s best roles. It amused me to see him tower over the petite Holly Hunter. Also, interaction between Avery and Abby only took place in the movie. I could’ve done without that.   

Three Out of Five Pearls 

 

Julie Powell’s Julie and Julia

Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell | LibraryThing

Powell, J. (2005). Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen. New York: Little, Brown and Co. 9780316109697

Reasons for Reading:  I’m no gourmet but I enjoyed watching cooking shows on PBS ever since I can remember. One of those heroic translators of French cuisine was the unforgettable Julia Child. She empowered people nationwide to  Since this book was about the experiences of a blogger working her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I decided I wanted to read Julie and Julia someday. A couple of years ago, I heard Julie Powell speak at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. I found the book on the shelf at the HCPL where I work.

Summary: As secretarial government drone Julie Powell eyes her approaching thirtieth birthday, she yearns for something to do. While visiting her family in Austin, Texas, Julie eyes her mom’s copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. This sighting inspires Julie to work her way through 524 recipes in a year and blog about her experiences. 

What I Liked : I enjoyed the mention of Samuel Pepys and the segments from Julia and Paul Child. I also liked reading about Austin, Texas, the capital of my home state. The following Julie’s blog built amazed me. It’s impressive how these kind souls even sent her foodstuffs when she remarked on wanting something.

What I Disliked : I didn’t care much for Julie. This fact alone really colored my opinion of the book. I wanted to know more the actual blogging and how it became so lucrative for her. I didn’t find much of that here. Unfortunately I saw the movie before I read the book and that disappointed me as well. Maybe my expectations are too high. 

Two Out of Five Pearls

Song: ‪The French Chef Theme Song

Setting: New York City, Austin Texas, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Paris, Boston

You might also like:

• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• I’m the One that I Want by Margaret Cho

For more on Julie Powell’s Julie and Julia…, please check out the following links:

• What Could Happen?
• Jules’ Book Reviews: Book Review: Julie & Julia
• In The Next Room: Book Review: Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
• - simmer down! {a food lover’s blog}

 

April Reader of the Month – Kat B.

This is the fourth interview for Reader of the Month.

Back when I was at Baylor, I was lucky enough to land work-study at the Armstrong Browning Library. Kat B., my boss there, is responsible for this. My experience there led me to become a librarian, too. When I ventured outside the Baylor Bubble, I was blessed to maintain contact with Kat B. Not only is she my friend, she’s one of the most intriguing people I know.

1. What’s the best thing you’ve read in the past year?

Beauty by Roger Scruton.  It has to do with aesthetics–why art, architecture, fashion, and general living spaces have become ugly instead of beautiful, why kitsch and sentimentality have replaced refined culture. There are several authors who seem to me to be straight thinking in a twisted world and he is one of them. It spurred me on to read some books along similar lines, notably, Art’s Prospect by Roger Kimball, From Bauhaus to Our House by Tom Wolfe, Money for Art by David A. Smith, and finally A New Theory of Urban Design by Christopher Alexander, Hajo Neis, Artemis Anninou, Ingrid King.

2. Do you have any quirks when it comes to reading?

I want to know everything in the world. I began calculating how much time I’ve spent reading, how long it’s taken me to get this far, and decided that there simply isn’t time for me to read everything I’d like to before I die, even if I live to be 80. I’m trying to focus more than ever before on topics specific to my writing projects, practical things I am involved in–the world of art and museums, and how-tos for practical living. I’ve also made it a point to buy the works of certain favorite authors and poets: Doyle; Dumas, le pere; Kipling; and the Brownings. (I can’t read every classic author before I die and get anything done.) I’m taking the time to savor works, because I had to read them on the fly most of my life.

3. What’s on your bookshelf or in your book bag?

The Triumph of Individual Style: A guide to dressing your body, your beauty, your self by Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa Connor–positively the best book of its kind I’ve ever picked up, bar none.

4. Who supplies your reading material?

Before I moved, I bought a lot of used books from various places. I still do, but very, very rarely. Mostly I get books through interlibrary loan and there are several university libraries near me, one of which I will apply for a card very soon.

5. What type of reading do you usually enjoy?

I read mostly non-fiction. That’s because I want to understand and fix everything in the world. However, one may say that I read “everything” but we cannot take that too literally. I also pour over biblical sources a lot.

6. Who are some authors that you read regardless of anything?

There are no authors I read regardless of anything (if I understand the question). Certainly some authors will remain in my heart for life.

7. What’s on your TBR (to be read) list?

The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution by Francis Fukuyama. I’ve perused it a bit and, frankly, consider it the outstanding work of our time. (While we are at it, I have always secretly wondered why every serious work warrants a title with a colon and then a descriptor!)

8. Can you recall a book that changed your life? How so?

Many. Several come to mind, but if I had to choose it would be Abandonment to Divine Providence (sometimes translated as The Sacrament of the Present Moment) by J.P. de Caussade. It greatly elucidated the work of Jesus Christ in our every waking moment, whether that moment is happy or traumatic.

9. What was something you enjoyed reading as a child?

The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It taught me to care about poor little children everything, to never side with bullies, and to think of myself as a little princess in disguise whenever I felt too poor to measure up.

10. Where do you like to read?

Anywhere, mostly just alone or while waiting somewhere.

11. Other than reading, what do you like doing?

Is there anything else?  I’ve taken up sewing and bicycling again between a lot of random activities.

12. Where can we find you online?

You can find me on a Beta version of a Web site I started in August at The Sea Pearl (which I’m still developing and plan to add to in time) and on my professional blog at Kathryn Brogdon .

13. Would you like to make a shout out to any other avid readers that are online?

Okay, ahem… What is “shout out”?

14. How about sharing five random facts about you?

Random craziness, huh? Let’s see…a) I used to be a Girl Scout, b) I have two grown children, c) I studied journalism, Spanish, history and museology in university, d) I worked at the Armstrong Browning Library before e) moving to Spokane, WA with my husband artist Melville Holmes.

 

TBRs – Joyce Meyer’s Do yourself a favor– forgive

Do Yourself A Favor…Forgive by Joyce Meyer | LibraryThing

Meyer, J. (2012). Do yourself a favor– forgive: Learn how to take control of your life through forgiveness. New York: FaithWords. 978-0446547277

I saw it on a cart today and I’ve requested it. Just the title alone spoke to me.

 

John Grisham’s The Firm

The Firm | WorldCat Detailed Record

Grisham, J., & Brick, S. (2002). The Firm. Santa Ana, CA: Books on Tape. 9780736688604

Reasons for Reading:  I saw blurbs an upcoming TV show based on John Grisham’s The Firm . It featured Josh Lucas as the main character. Yet, I hesitated to watch the show because I wanted to read the book first. (I’d seen the movie back around the time it came out on video.) Thus, I requested the audiobook via HCPL.

Summary:  Harvard Law student, Mitchell Y. McDeere, works hard. He and his college sweetheart wife, Abby, have next to nothing. McDeere’s brother, Ray, is imprisoned. As Mitch graduates third in his class, a small Memphis tax firm called Bendini, Lambert and Locke comes knocking. The firm offers him and Abby a life of luxury – a large salary, a low-rate mortgage on a house, a BMW, and vacations at company owned places in Colorado and the Cayman Islands. The McDeeres leap at this chance with little consideration for any possible catches. Soon, though, Mitch discovers things aren’t as wonderful as they first appeared.

What I Liked : This story about an attorney seems authentic and I think that’s due to Grisham writing what he knew. Not only did I appreciate this, I also liked that he broke things down in layman’s terms. While I’m not a law professional, I could easily follow the action. In my mind’s eye, I could see these characters and events.

What I Disliked: I only have one tiny complaint; I wished there had been dates offered for the action. Mitch’s brother Rusty died fighting in Vietnam. International flights were simple, pre-9/11. Very little takes place using cell phones or the Internet, too. Some time stamps would’ve been awesome.

Three Out of Five Pearls

Song: ‪Charlie Rich • No Headstone on My Grave – YouTube

Setting : Memphis, Boston, Washington D.C, The Cayman Islands

You might also like:

• The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa
• The Mickey Haller Series by Michael Connelly
• Rising Sun by Michael Crichton
• The Rainmaker by John Grisham
• The Godfather by Mario Puzo

For more on John Grisham’s The Firm, please check out the following links:

• Book review: <i>The Firm</i> by John Grisham | Illiterarty.com
• Book Review: John Grisham’s “The Firm”
• Book Review : The Firm by John Grisham | All That Can Be

 

Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky | LibraryThing

Chbosky, S. (1999). The perks of being a wallflower. New York: Pocket Books. 9780671027346

Reasons for Reading : The first time I heard about The Perks of Being a Wallflower was in library school. Stephen Chbosky’s work was banned by the Library Patrons of Texas. I hadn’t thought much about it until I saw that a movie based on the book would come out later in 2012. Thus, I requested and checked out the book from HCPL.

Summary : Assuming the alias “Charlie,” a troubled high school freshman writes letters to an unnamed friend, starting in the 1991. Through these rather intimate letters, Charlie describes his family, his teacher Bill who assigns extra essays to write, his senior friends, Patrick and Sam[antha], and his late Aunt Helen.

What I Liked : Nothing was sugarcoated in this book. Actually, it was pretty raw stuff. The characters were original and realistic.

What I Disliked : Maybe it was necessary for Chbosky to set this in the early 1990s. Yet, it would’ve appealed more if it had been set around the time it was published – 1999. Also, I somber read and not for those looking for some gentle literature.

Three Out of Five Pearls

Song: The Smiths – Asleep – YouTube

Setting : Pittsburgh, PA

You might also like:

• The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
• Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levanthan
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Carrie by Stephen King
• Forever… by Judy Blume
• Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
• The Giver by Lois Lowry

For more on Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower , check out the following sites:

•  The Perks Of Being A Wallflower Book Review: How Often Do You Do Things That Matter? « Prinsesa’s Anatomy:
• Peace Love Books: Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• Book Review: Perks Of Being A Wallflower | Pop Culture With Camilla

 

March Reader of the Month – Janette L.

Janette L. kicks back with a few books

This is the third interview for Reader of the Month.

Four years ago, I applied for a reference librarian position in Clear Lake. Soon after, the branch librarian called me and set up an interview. After the interview, the assistant branch librarian gave me a tour. During this visit, she introduced me to Janette L.

When I started at Freeman, Janette and I became fast friends. Janette is the “Go-To Woman” on many things at the library. This includes all sorts of reading.

1. What’s the best thing you’ve read in the past year?

I would have to say it is a toss up between 3 online items that I read faithfully:

Volume 6 Bonus Wallpaper: Drama!

Girl Genius Online  – a webcomic of Romance, Adventure and Mad Science!  For Romance, Adventure and Mad Science!

Whatever – a blog by writer John Scalzi. For Whatever

Sciguy  – a science blog with Eric Berger. For weather, science stuff & Katy evac jokes

2. Do you have any quirks when it comes to reading?

I can get so absorbed in my reading that I would not hear someone next to me talking.  I discovered this in 3^rdgrade when we had a free reading period. I remember looking up and realizing that we were now 15 minutes into the next lesson section.  I was able to switch out books undetected.  Because of this, I usually don’t read books during lunch at work.

3. What’s on your bookshelf or in your book bag?

There is a reason why I have a t-shirt with “Bibliovore” on it.  I admit to leanings towards science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, horror, nonfiction & technical manuals

4. Who supplies your reading material?

The majority comes from the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Library.  Other sources are the Friends of Freeman Bookstore, Half Price Books (in Clear Lake), and Amazon. 

5. What type of reading do you usually enjoy?

See #3

6. Who are some authors that you read regardless of anything?

Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffery (RIP), Sandra Boynton, and more.  Again see #3

7. What’s on your TBR (to be read) list?

Again see #3.  Due to how voraciously I ready, this can change daily.  I can consume several hundred pages in mere hours.

Bibliovore

8. Can you recall a book that changed your life? How so?

I read a book on space exploration that had been written by Arthur C. Clarke in the 60’s.  I used it as a reference for a report that started “Beep…..beep…..beep…..” then went on to explain about Sputnik, what had followed and what the future could hold.

I then found that Clarke also wrote science FICTION, and went on to discover Asimov, Heinlein and haven’t stopped yet.

9. What was something you enjoyed reading as a child?

Andrew Lang’s Fairy books, these are collections of fairy tales.  Each book has a color in its name.  The Red Fairy Book is one example. There were about a dozen of them & had illustrations.

10. Where do you like to read?

Anywhere comfortable – I usually take a book for reading or puzzles to work when I go anywhere, just in case.

11. Other than reading, what do you like doing?

Fixing things

12. Where can we find you online?

See #1.  Elsewise, I am recently on Google+, if you want to follow me at ireadalota at gmail.com .  You could find me boring.  Be warned, my spam filters are set high, if I get unfamiliar email with odd subject lines.

13. Would you like to make a shout out to any other avid readers that are online?

—

14. How about sharing five random facts about you?

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I once asked for a vise with anvil plate for Christmas and got one.  I own a 5ft ax with a 14 inch wide blade named “Sir”. 

Leatherman

I can fix many things using just my Leatherman.  I work in a Public Library as a Reference Assistant.