For those of you who don't know, they are currently in pre-production of a 'Hunger Games' movie. No one has been cast yet (that I'm aware of), and the set release is sometime in 2013. Stumbled across this fan movie though.. and wow, this book could make an awesome movie.. if done right. Fair warning on the vid: it is violent.. and is the scene of Rue's death.. so if you're the crying type (it got a little dusty for me watching it...), don't watch at work.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Productivity is at an all time low.
Emily's picking the next book. It'll be up soon. Watch for structural changes to our little corner of the interwebs, coming soon. I'm gonna make it more interactive, with more updates.
Friday, September 24, 2010
New book. better late than never.
Sorry for the delay.. my screen is broken, and I've been slightly busy.
New book:
World War Z by Max Brooks
Synopsis:
Brooks, the author of the determinedly straight-faced parody The Zombie Survival Guide (2003), returns in all seriousness to the zombie theme for his second outing, a future history in the style of Theodore Judson's Fitzpatrick's War. Brooks tells the story of the world's desperate battle against the zombie threat with a series of first-person accounts "as told to the author" by various characters around the world. A Chinese doctor encounters one of the earliest zombie cases at a time when the Chinese government is ruthlessly suppressing any information about the outbreak that will soon spread across the globe. The tale then follows the outbreak via testimony of smugglers, intelligence officials, military personnel and many others who struggle to defeat the zombie menace. Despite its implausible premise and choppy delivery, the novel is surprisingly hard to put down. The subtle, and not so subtle, jabs at various contemporary politicians and policies are an added bonus.
I'll give some of you a second to get the eye-rolling out of your system.
Done? Feel better? This book is really good. I promise. It's about the emotion, and survival instinct that this kind of event would have, not just the horror, and scare factor of traditional zombie fare.
Plus, Halloween is coming up. Zombies are fitting.
New book:
World War Z by Max Brooks
Synopsis:
Brooks, the author of the determinedly straight-faced parody The Zombie Survival Guide (2003), returns in all seriousness to the zombie theme for his second outing, a future history in the style of Theodore Judson's Fitzpatrick's War. Brooks tells the story of the world's desperate battle against the zombie threat with a series of first-person accounts "as told to the author" by various characters around the world. A Chinese doctor encounters one of the earliest zombie cases at a time when the Chinese government is ruthlessly suppressing any information about the outbreak that will soon spread across the globe. The tale then follows the outbreak via testimony of smugglers, intelligence officials, military personnel and many others who struggle to defeat the zombie menace. Despite its implausible premise and choppy delivery, the novel is surprisingly hard to put down. The subtle, and not so subtle, jabs at various contemporary politicians and policies are an added bonus.
I'll give some of you a second to get the eye-rolling out of your system.
Done? Feel better? This book is really good. I promise. It's about the emotion, and survival instinct that this kind of event would have, not just the horror, and scare factor of traditional zombie fare.
Plus, Halloween is coming up. Zombies are fitting.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
This book wants to fight you.
Laurie (Drama Mama) picks the new book:
American Shaolin by Matthew Polly.t
Synopsis:
The raucously funny story of one young American’s quest to become the baddest dude on the planet (and possibly find inner peace along the way) Growing up a ninety-eight-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series Kung Fu. American Shaolin is the story of the two years Matthew spent in China living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks. The Chinese term for tough training is chi ku (“eating bitter”), and Matthew quickly learned to appreciate the phrase. This is both the gripping story of Matthew’s journey and an intimate portrait of the real lives of the Shaolin monks, who struggle to overcome rampant corruption and the restrictions of an authoritarian government. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of- age story of one man’s journey into the ancient art of kungfu—and a poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.
Her reason for the choice:
I have always been fascinated by what others can do with their bodies, what they can do TO their bodies, and so as a result I have always enjoyed anything kung-fu related. I found this book and when I realized it was the story of an American self-professed weakling who went to China in search of the infamous Shaolin Temple to request training, I was intrigued. Matthew Polly's writing is witty, engaging, and easygoing. The story could have been very dry and technical, but it feels like you are sitting around a corner table at a college bar and listening to your buddy tell a story. Not only did I learn a lot about Chinese culture, but I have a new found respect for all things Shaolin. This book had me snickering unattractively to myself, reading parts aloud to ambushed family members, and inspired me to do some self-inventory of my own. I hope you all like it!
American Shaolin by Matthew Polly.t
Synopsis:
The raucously funny story of one young American’s quest to become the baddest dude on the planet (and possibly find inner peace along the way) Growing up a ninety-eight-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series Kung Fu. American Shaolin is the story of the two years Matthew spent in China living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks. The Chinese term for tough training is chi ku (“eating bitter”), and Matthew quickly learned to appreciate the phrase. This is both the gripping story of Matthew’s journey and an intimate portrait of the real lives of the Shaolin monks, who struggle to overcome rampant corruption and the restrictions of an authoritarian government. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of- age story of one man’s journey into the ancient art of kungfu—and a poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.
Her reason for the choice:
I have always been fascinated by what others can do with their bodies, what they can do TO their bodies, and so as a result I have always enjoyed anything kung-fu related. I found this book and when I realized it was the story of an American self-professed weakling who went to China in search of the infamous Shaolin Temple to request training, I was intrigued. Matthew Polly's writing is witty, engaging, and easygoing. The story could have been very dry and technical, but it feels like you are sitting around a corner table at a college bar and listening to your buddy tell a story. Not only did I learn a lot about Chinese culture, but I have a new found respect for all things Shaolin. This book had me snickering unattractively to myself, reading parts aloud to ambushed family members, and inspired me to do some self-inventory of my own. I hope you all like it!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A new book has been chosen.
I sat out my pick... and gave it to Natalie. She picked:
Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory.
Description:
A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor’s examining table, missing yet another day of school. Just twelve, she’s tall, skinny, and weak. It’s four o’clock, and she hasn’t been allowed to eat anything all day. Her mother, on the other hand, seems curiously excited. She's about to suggest open-heart surgery on her child to "get to the bottom of this." She checks her teeth for lipstick and, as the doctor enters, shoots the girl a warning glance. This child will not ruin her plans.
Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I found it fascinating. It is the true story of an Ohio girl, raised by mother who suffers from Münchhausen by Proxy Syndrome. I have always been interested in abnormal psychology and the completely whacked out things people do. The story is kind of like watching a train-wreck. I thought it was an easy book to read while still covering a very interesting and bizarre topic.
Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory.
Description:
A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor’s examining table, missing yet another day of school. Just twelve, she’s tall, skinny, and weak. It’s four o’clock, and she hasn’t been allowed to eat anything all day. Her mother, on the other hand, seems curiously excited. She's about to suggest open-heart surgery on her child to "get to the bottom of this." She checks her teeth for lipstick and, as the doctor enters, shoots the girl a warning glance. This child will not ruin her plans.
Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I found it fascinating. It is the true story of an Ohio girl, raised by mother who suffers from Münchhausen by Proxy Syndrome. I have always been interested in abnormal psychology and the completely whacked out things people do. The story is kind of like watching a train-wreck. I thought it was an easy book to read while still covering a very interesting and bizarre topic.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
New book. This one from Abbie
So, it's Abbie's turn to pick and her choice is:
A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula LeGuin
B&N has this to say about it:
The winner of the Pushcart Prize, the Kafka Award, and the National Book Award, Ursula K. Le Guin has created a profound and transformational literature. The award-winning stories in A Fisherman of the Inland Sea range from the everyday to the outer limits of experience, where the quantum uncertainties of space and time are resolved only in the depths of the human heart. Astonishing in their diversity and power, they exhibit both the artistry of a major writer at the height of her powers and the humanity of a mature artist confronting the world with her gift of wonder still intact.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Book THREE.
So.. it's Gretta's turn to pick a book. Her pick is:
Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl From B&N:
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
Not a terribly cheerful sounding synopsis. But it does sound incredibly interesting. Happy reading.
Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl From B&N:
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
Not a terribly cheerful sounding synopsis. But it does sound incredibly interesting. Happy reading.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
New book!
Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides
All the synopses that I found were too long to put here. It's about a hermaphrodite. So yeah... There you go.
Mel recommends this book because "It's good." It did win the Pulitzer Prize... so she's probably right. Happy reading!
Monday, March 29, 2010
On deck...
Well, the first book was a pretty big success I'd say. And the next one will be thrown out in the near future. Mel is picking next, and will present it in the next week or two.
A few reminders: if you want to receive an email for new comments as they're posted, just let me know. Also, if you ever want to post anything here independent of the current conversation, just email it to me (i.e. book websites or thoughts) and I'll put it up here for you.
Happy Reading kids...
I'll leave you with a cat fighting a watermelon. It was going to be Puppies Dressed as Cats... but NBC sucks.
A few reminders: if you want to receive an email for new comments as they're posted, just let me know. Also, if you ever want to post anything here independent of the current conversation, just email it to me (i.e. book websites or thoughts) and I'll put it up here for you.
Happy Reading kids...
I'll leave you with a cat fighting a watermelon. It was going to be Puppies Dressed as Cats... but NBC sucks.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
First book... go!
Jen throws out the first book for our reading pleasure:
The Hunger Games
~ Suzanne Collins
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.
Jen says we should read it because:
"Read it because it's good. I can't think of any real intellectual comments to make."
So.. go forth, read it. Comments here on what you think.. feel free to post during reading or after you've read it. Fair warning on spoilers/plot points, if you're going to give something away, let folks know you're going to; that way they can wait till they've read it.
The Hunger Games
~ Suzanne CollinsKatniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.
Jen says we should read it because:
"Read it because it's good. I can't think of any real intellectual comments to make."
So.. go forth, read it. Comments here on what you think.. feel free to post during reading or after you've read it. Fair warning on spoilers/plot points, if you're going to give something away, let folks know you're going to; that way they can wait till they've read it.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The List.
Ok. So, the list of people who have informed me they will be participating is as follows. Feel free to introduce yourselves in the comments section, for those who don't know each other.
Abbie W.
Laurie F.
Mary B.
Jen R.
Natalie H.
Greta T.
Joanna K.
Mel S.
Brandon W.
Emily F.
Jen R. will pick the first Book.... which means Mel is up after that, then Greta. Post coming next Wednesday about what the book is.
If you're not on the list, let me know, the more the merrier.
Abbie W.
Laurie F.
Mary B.
Jen R.
Natalie H.
Greta T.
Joanna K.
Mel S.
Brandon W.
Emily F.
Jen R. will pick the first Book.... which means Mel is up after that, then Greta. Post coming next Wednesday about what the book is.
If you're not on the list, let me know, the more the merrier.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Bookkeeping (he he)
I can set the blog up to email you whenever a comment is posted to the entry. If you want this to happen, just let me know what email address you want it sent to.
Also, keep in mind that this is a group experiment: if you have any suggestions on the way anything is done, throw them out there.
Also, keep in mind that this is a group experiment: if you have any suggestions on the way anything is done, throw them out there.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
First Post.
This seemed to be the most logical way to start this reading circle, book club, group.. what have you. First a few introductory type things:
If you have a better idea for the name of this page/group, by all means throw it out there, I picked the current one simply because creativity eluded me.
Leave a comment to let us know that you're in for the first book. In the comments of this post we should try and decide the length of time given for reading books, and other ground rules. My suggestions are these:
*1 book = 1 month.
*Rotate who picks the book, go in alphabetical order, starting at a random letter for last name.
*Genre and style do not matter for your suggestion (unless you're suggesting a Danielle Steele novel or Sarah Palin's book.. if that's the case: this is not the website for you), the point here to to be exposed to books that we wouldn't normally encounter.
*You pick the book, you write the post that kicks off the conversation for it.
Hopefully this works, and I look forward to this little experiment.
We'll aim for picking the first book Wednesday, March 10th. That way everyone will have time to log their name here and we can know how many people will be participating.
~Brandon.
If you have a better idea for the name of this page/group, by all means throw it out there, I picked the current one simply because creativity eluded me.
Leave a comment to let us know that you're in for the first book. In the comments of this post we should try and decide the length of time given for reading books, and other ground rules. My suggestions are these:
*1 book = 1 month.
*Rotate who picks the book, go in alphabetical order, starting at a random letter for last name.
*Genre and style do not matter for your suggestion (unless you're suggesting a Danielle Steele novel or Sarah Palin's book.. if that's the case: this is not the website for you), the point here to to be exposed to books that we wouldn't normally encounter.
*You pick the book, you write the post that kicks off the conversation for it.
Hopefully this works, and I look forward to this little experiment.
We'll aim for picking the first book Wednesday, March 10th. That way everyone will have time to log their name here and we can know how many people will be participating.
~Brandon.
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