Books in My Beach Bag

June 3, 2014 / caitlinemccann / 4 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I love a good TBR list so I couldn’t resist. This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is about the top ten books that will wind up in your beach bag. As I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to read this summer, I’ve realized that most of these do not come off as typical beach reads. But that’s what makes these lists fun.

All pictures and links are from/lead to Goodreads.com

7677

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: One of my best friends, Brittany, is obsessed with this series and it was a bone of contention in our friendship that I had never read the original text, though I was acceptable friend material for having seen and loved the movies. Well, girlfriend, I am finally reading the book. She is stoked. I haven’t taken this one to the beach yet, but I’m definitely enjoying the read thus far. Above and beyond the fun films, Crichton has such a cinematic language that it’s easy to see why his books so often get adapted for the screen.

40440

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: I picked this one up at my library recently and still need to start it. But it seems like a perfect beach read with the mystery of unveiling another person’s life story. It’s been out for a bit now, but I just never got around to reading it. Now is the time! Have any of you read The Thirteenth Tale? Is it any good?

The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon: This is another friend recommendation. My friend Clara told me that the premise was right up my alley and that the translation was beautiful. Now her description of the plot differs somewhat from what Goodreads is telling me. From an amalgamation of both descriptions, it seems like a story about a boy who chooses a forgotten book from a bookstore and when he falls in love with the author’s writing, the boy tries to find more of the author’s work. Mystery unfolds as the boy discovers that someone is destroying all the copies of the author’s work. I’m intrigued and am looking forward to this one for sure.

The Film Club: A True Story of a Father and Son

The Film Club by David Gilmour: I’m pretty sure that I’ve had this book on TBR lists in the past and I still haven’t managed to read the darn book. I fell in love with the book at a Barnes & Noble after doing the first page test and suddenly finding myself plopped on the ground and on page ten. Despite that initial draw, this poor book has languished on my shelves ever since. It’s a nonfiction memoir about a father struggling to reach his rebellious son. The son doesn’t want to go to school anymore and at his wit’s end, Gilmour agrees that the kid doesn’t have to go anymore if and only if he sits down and watches movies with his old man three times a week. The memoir covers the three-year span that he and his son go through this “film club.” Gilmour is a highly humorous and emotive writer, so his stories really captivate.

6625220

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters: This anthology of poetry is about the residents of a small town–Spoon River–who tell their stories in verse from beyond the grave. The personality of the town and its inhabitants is supposed then is elaborated through these afterlife reflections. It’s such a compelling concept for a collection and I can’t wait to dive in. Poetry in general is a great beach read because it’s so easy to consume.

13497

A Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin: I have been waiting till the summer months to dive into book four of The Song of Ice and Fire Series. These books are so time-consuming and huge that I like being able to dedicate solid reading time to them before I begin. Because if I don’t dedicate time to Martin’s books, they tend to take my time anyway. I can’t tell you how many nights I have lost to Martin and this series compelling me to just read one more chapter. So very worth it though!

46190

Love is a Mix Tape By Rob Sheffield: Another memoir that already sounds heartrending. It is about love lost and how Sheffield deals with his grief through music and mix tapes. As a former Rolling Stone journalist, the man knows his music but it goes beyond esoteric knowledge and reaches out to anyone who uses music for catharsis. I probably need to have the right mindset to read this book because it could emotionally destroy me. But is sounds so good. I’ll risk reading it in public anyway.

7629972

The Genius of the System by Thomas Schatz: Technically this one would be a re-read. This was one of my textbooks for a class on American Film History and I really enjoyed the chapters we read, so I’d like to go back and read the whole thing. Schatz is extremely well researched and has a way of making non-fiction read like a narrative tapestry. I’ll read this one with my pencil and post-its next to me.

5139

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger: This is another one of those books that has been on my shelf for too long. I think summer is probably the perfect time for some frivolous chick lit. Who knows, maybe I’ll like the movie better? I’m just such a fan of the Anne Hathaway/Meryl Streep combo. That’s who I’ll be picturing for sure.

15931

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: What makes this the perfect beach read is how thin the book actually is. You could easily get lost in this little book and read it all day in the sunshine. It may be another one of those books that requires a certain frame of mind or else a willingness to weep in public. But I’m finally going to commit to reading this tear-jerker.

These are the books I’m hoping to tackle this summer. And maybe they won’t make it to the beach, but they’re definitely at the top of my TBR list. Enjoy!

Characters That I Relate To a Little Too Well

April 22, 2014 / caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is all about Characters that I [fill in the blank]. So I chose to take on the idea of characters that I relate to in ways that are sometimes not the best. Good literature is like looking in a mirror; your reactions to characters both good and bad can allow you to see something deeper about your self. In no particular order, here are the characters I connect to in some way, shape, or form.

Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale: She’s trapped by her society and caught in her past. Offred’s way of handling these external and internal forces isn’t always wise. Atwood’s novel is a terrifying glimpse into a future that doesn’t seem as impossible as we would like, and I appreciate that she didn’t populate her narrative with any gradient of perfect people. Offred fights depression and a sense of hopelessness with raw emotion and aggressive rebellion. Who the heck hasn’t done that?
Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones: It feels a tad strange to say that I relate so well to a twelve-year-old girl who views the world from her perch in Heaven. But she seeks the best in situations that are absolutely dismal; it doesn’t always work for her but I certainly appreciate the effort. When I first read this book in the seventh grade I felt so connected to Susie’s disconnection. It’s all about that first read when it comes to relating to characters.
Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar: Within reading the first five pages of Plath’s infamously autobiographical novel, I felt a kinship with Esther. And then my next thought was, “Well, crap, that can’t be healthy!” There’s just something in Plath’s tone and language that feels like her words could be mine too. Dealing with issues of stability and sexuality is something plenty of readers can connect with, regardless of your current state of mental health.
Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre: Any girl (or hey, any guy) who has connected with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when they treat her like poo on the bottom of their shoes in the boutique can connect with Jane Eyre. It’s the same general principle of feeling alienated and being made to be a lesser for their perceived station in life, only more darkly Romantic. Jane has more of a vengeful streak than Julia though, which I think makes her more interesting.
Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones’s Diary: My inner frantic nutbag connects with Bridget. That is all.
Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Gurrrrrrrrl, I have been there. In your most passionately desperate moments–in the throes of love or even lust–you know you have pulled a Helena. I read her dialogue and simultaneously wince and nod in sisterly understanding. Such is life, I suppose.
Briseis in Daughter of Troy: Oi. Briseis is selfish, haughty, and just this side of vain. But she is also strong, empowered, and captivating. One of my favorite books of all time as well as one of my favorite characters.
Danny Saunders in The Chosen: Danny can be abrasive and unyielding in his opinions. His push-pull with tradition and family is something I could truly connect with though. I’ve got a lot of love for this character.
Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities: Such a bad man! I love him more than any other character in the book. Who needs Lucie? I was so compelled by Sydney and felt like he was the person I was most interested in following along with.
Gene in A Separate Peace: Given the ending, I feel a tad guilty about connecting with Gene. His introvert characteristics and wicked streak of jealousy are avenues I’ve been down myself.

None of these characters are “bad people”. They’re complex and potentially brooding and there is something relatable in all of them. It’s all in how you connect as a reader, and our darker sides connect with characters just as readily as our lighter sides.

Hope you enjoyed my Top Ten Tuesday post. Happy Reading!

Authorial Confessions

April 1, 2014 / caitlinemccann / 6 Comments

For this week’s Broke and the Bookish weekly meme I’m looking back on a former topic–authors I have never read. As a former English major and ongoing fan of books in general, some of these make me blush. The concept of revealing my top ten unread authors reminds me of a game in one of my favorite books called Humiliation (the book, if you’re interested was Changing Places by David Lodge). In Humiliation you admit famous literary works you’ve never read and gain points for everyone in the group that has read each of your unread beauties. So in the spirit of David Lodge’s party game, let’s see how many points I can rack up, shall we?

1. Kurt Vonnegut: I can hear some of my hipster friends crying as I confess this. Sorry, y’all. I’ll get around to reading Slaughterhouse Five someday, I swear.

2. Ernest Hemingway: To justify myself a little, I’ve read his short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” but never one of his novels. Hemingway has beautiful, evocative language, so he should be my kind of writer. I think what held me back was that initial high school intimidation after reading his short prose and realizing the man was allergic to explaining who was talking. Maybe if I can get past that age-old terror, I’ll give him a shot.

3. Douglas Adams: This poor man is forever on my TBR lists. There is no particular reason for avoiding A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, just a persistent case of later-itus.

4. Barbara Kingsolver: Critics agree that Kingsolver is one heck of a writer, but I’ve never really had an inclination to pick up one of her books. I can’t really see that changing anytime soon, to be honest. Nothing against the lady personally but I’ve yet to be grabbed by one of her back-jackets.

5. Jack London: Nope. Nope. Nope. Wilderness survival stories and angry animals are not for me. Nope. Nope. Nope.

6. James Joyce: Intimidation, thy name is Joyce. Several friends took a study abroad class on Joyce’s Ulysses while we were in England. Some of them cried about it. Either real, salty tears or cries of rage and frustration. But many of them walked away happier for the experience. Most of them that I’ve kept in touch with still talk about that summer course, so I feel compelled to give in on this one at some point.

7. Jonathan Franzen: I’d love to cross this guy off my unread author list. He’s an epic writer of the modern era, and he even wrote a hefty book set in my hometown (The Twenty-Seventh City). I also had a beloved teacher in high school recommend Franzen to me, so I may be feeling particularly guilty about this one.

8. Ursula K. Le Guin: For a good long while I’ve heard that Le Guin is an amazing fantasy writer. And I’m inclined to believe it! Another author that has been recommended by some very trusted sources. I imagine Le Guin won’t languish on this list for long.

9. Nicolas Sparks: I swear, every movie that bears his name makes me more determined not to read anything he puts out. The Notebook was an amazing and moving film, so I would probably be willing to make that exception. His other novels, not so much.

10. John Green: His books are supposed to be compelling and well written YA fiction. I’m not nay-saying any of that. I just haven’t gotten around to him yet.

So how many points did I manage? I’d love to be able to cross a few of these writers off my unread list soon, but others may just languish there for the foreseeable future. If I can slog through any of these in the near future, I’ll try to post about if they met or failed any expectations I may have had. Happy reading!

The Good, The Bad, And The Weird of Adaptations

July 9, 2013July 8, 2013 / caitlinemccann / 8 Comments

This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is all about one of my favorite subjects–adaptations. I have a love/hate relationship with adaptations; they’re either excellent or terrible. Part of that intense emotional reaction to an adaptation comes from my love books. I love films too, but when a film is taking material from print, I feel that what’s on-screen should accurately represent what’s on the page. The only way I deal with the potential rage inducing power of a (poor) adaptation is by deliberately reading the book after seeing the movie. Generally, that little trick helps me compartmentalize the book from the film as separate, enjoyable entities. This post is dedicated to the five best adaptations and the five worst that I have seen thus far.

The Best of the Best

Atonement by Ian McEwan (directed by Joe Wright): Is it absolutely perfect? No. But it’s one of the most beautiful, dreamy, and accurate adaptations I’ve seen. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy are Cecelia and Robbie for me. Both book and movie made me cry because the story is so tenderly rendered in each medium.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (directed by Robert Mulligan): I’m incredibly biased about this adaptation because of Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Peck in this role is essentially the gold standard of fatherhood, honor, and charm. The movie itself is as worth the watch as the book is the read. Somehow the black and white film suits the printed word in a way that color would not; I simply can’t imagine a better adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (directed by David Fincher and Niels Arden Oplev): It doesn’t matter whether you watch the American adaptation or the Swedish one, because they’re both great. Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace both bring extraordinary life into the Lisbeth Salander character, though their interpretations are slightly different. Fans of the series absolutely should see the films.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (directed by Milos Foreman): The film deviates a tad from the book, but the overall feeling is exactly what Kesey intended. The book has a stronger sense of a narrator that the film doesn’t need because the characters speak for themselves. Plus, Jack Nicholson is an excellent Mac. Both film and book are also notable because they called attention to the mistreatment of mental illness in the U.S..
Fight Club by Chuck Palahuniuk (directed by David Fincher): Spoiler alert, the endings are totally different from book to movie. Yet the adaptation still makes it on to the list because it is a great film of a great book. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt are unforgettable in their respective roles. It’s a rare case where I may actually prefer the film to the book, but if you enjoyed the film you should read the book.

The Worst of the Worst

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (directed by Mike Newell): All of the film adaptations for this series have their flaws, yet I like most of them. I am a self-proclaimed HP fan, so my standards were incredibly high, particularly for the early films when the book series was incomplete. Goblet of Fire is one of my favorite books in the series, and there were so many terrible changes made to the narrative. The films as a general rule are decent but this one just irks me something fierce.
Beowulf by Anonymous (directed by Robert Zemeckis): Neil Gaiman has a writing credit on this thing and it’s still one of the worst adaptations ever. First of all, the film is in this CGI monstrosity. Second of all, there are so many deviations from story that it’s mind-boggling. Angelina Jolie plays Grendel’s mother, the gilded literal “man-eating” sensual monster. Not at all like the original epic and its maddening. On top of everything else it’s a terrible movie.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory (directed by Justin Chadwick): I wanted to like this movie, really, I did. It’s based on one of my favorite books and it stars Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. While both of those lovely ladies are solid actresses, they did not bring their A game. Or perhaps it was the writing. Either way the film did not do the book justice. Somebody please remake this properly!
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (directed by Robert Schwentke): Again, another favorite novel trashed by its adaptation. The book made me fall in love along with the characters and made me cry with its ending. I wanted to fall in love all over again but the film lacked the book’s spark. Rachel McAdams’ charming presence aside, this movie was not worthwhile.
The Iliad by Homer aka Troy (directed by Wolfgang Peterson): I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two of my worst adaptations are based in epic poetry. It seems to be an even more challenging medium to transfer to the screen than a straight novel. I’d also like to point out that three of my worst films star Eric Bana. He may be an attractive fellow, but that’s almost too much of a fluke for me to ignore. Epics in general are hard to convey in a short time span, which is why things like LOTR are done over several films. Brad Pitt’s butt may be the only reason to see this film.

In the future, I think I’ll have to stick to my rule of watching the movie first, because every last book on my worst list was read before seeing the film–another coincidence I don’t believe in. Separating the book and the movie in my mind helps me to sit back and enjoy each for what they are. The minute I start making comparisons, I start to disengage from the film. Good movies should reconnect you with the source material; that’s when you know it’s a powerful adaptation.

Best in Book Show…So Far

June 25, 2013June 25, 2013 / caitlinemccann / 2 Comments

For any of those regular Goodreads users, you might be familiar with the site’s yearly reading challenge that encourages all comers to read as much as possible. I pledged to read fifty books by the end of 2013, and so far I’ve managed to complete twenty books towards that goal. This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is dedicated to the best books read so far this year. While I may not have as many read as I would have liked, there are still some excellent reads to be found on this list.

*The following links lead to Goodreads.com*

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: I mentioned the sequel–Shadow of Night–in my last Top Ten Tuesday post. Part of the reason I think I was so charmed by the characters is that I instantly connected with the academic Diana. Once you connect with a character, it’s hard to let a series go. I recommended Discovery of Witches to both family and friends and those that have picked it up have absolutely loved it.
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin: Do I really need another post where I spout off about how much I adore this series? I don’t think so. You might reach your saturation point with my Martin talk. So just read the series when you get a chance and enjoy!
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman: This is an interesting add to my list. I started with the television show, which is truly groundbreaking, particularly in the makeup department. The makeup was so good I started having vividly terrifying nightmares. So I stopped watching the show, but randomly decided to try the graphic novels. No nightmares yet, but I’m even more attracted to Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s black and white graphic style. Right now, I’m four issues in and am completely hooked.
The Girl Who Kicked Over the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson: This is the final book in the Millennium trilogy. I started reading the series several years ago on a recommendation from my Aunt Kris. I waited patiently for this one to come out in paperback and then it sat patiently on my shelf for a while while I finished reading other things. Wonderfully satisfying book overall.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I’m usually way behind on my consumption of popular literature, and The Help is no exception. While I’m not quite finished with this one, I should be within the next twenty-four hours. And I’m already confident that Stockett’s prose deserves a spot on this list.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: Oh Madame Atwood, how I respect you. Her prose pours over you like poetry. Even better, she’s a great storyteller. This book was written in 1985 but is still eerily fresh and relevant. It’s also one of the American Library Association’s top 100 most challenged books for the years 1990-2000. Sometimes it’s more important to read the banned or challenged books than to swear by the most beloved ones.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling: Laugh out loud funny. Kaling is such a charismatic personality, and reading this book makes you want to take her out for a drink because you get the sense that she has more stories to tell.
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: Huzzah for fluff! This was such a pleasant and quick read. For more of my thoughts on Rowell’s novel scroll down to my last post.
Hector and the Search For Happiness by Francois Lelord: It’s the Little Prince meets The Tao of Pooh. Philosophy about what it means to be happy. I’m not saying that this book has all the answers, but it might make you think twice about what matters.
Courtesan by Diane Haegar: Historical fiction in any courtly era usually is right up my alley–particularly the great love stories. Haegar brings tender life to the mistress of King Henri II of France, Diane de Poitiers. Very well done piece.

That’s the best of my read’s from 2013…at least so far. I may have a slightly different list by the end of the year. We shall see.

Happy reading everybody!

Read in the Sun, Read in the Shade

June 18, 2013 / caitlinemccann / 8 Comments

One thing I always associate with summertime is the leisure to read what you please. During the school year, I try to read for myself a bit, but my time is dominated by what I need to read rather than what I want to read. This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is dedicated to the books we aim to read this summer. This summer feels like it’s going by faster than ever, so I’d better get started.

*All links from here on lead to Goodreads.com*

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: This has been an intriguing item on my TBR list for many months. It’s set in a dystopian future where people plug into a virtual reality to live a better life. Inside this virtual utopia are puzzles made by its 1980’s obsessed creator; puzzles that could lead to a vast fortune if solved. So it’s a pop-culture themed mystery. I’m already excited.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness: I can hardly wait to crack this one open. Harkness’ first novel, The Discovery of Witches, was one I happily devoured this spring in my limited free time. The story thrives in both past and present with a paranormal bent, as lead character Diana Bishop is both a historian and a witch. There’s also a decent romantic sub-plot. I patiently waited for Shadow to come out in paperback and even pre-ordered it on Amazon. This novel should pick up where the last left off, and I cannot wait.
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin: If you’ve been following this blog, then you’ve been able to track my obsession with this series. It’s been about a year, and I’ve gone through the first three books. I’m really drawn to Martin’s characters–even the ones that are deplorable–and am always ready for a return journey to Westeros.
(borrowed from Ms. Rowell’s site)
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: This next book seems like the epitome of summer fluff. Two female coworkers know better than to share personal emails through their work account, but just can’t seem to help themselves. Security officer, Lincoln, discovers the ladies’ interactions and knows he should report them, but he’s unaccountably charmed by their banter and starts to fall for one of them. See? Fluff! I love it. And it seems like the perfect book to take to the beach.
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas: Oi. I realize I’m reaching high with this one. It’s another hefty book, but I’ve always wanted to read Dumas unabridged. As a kid, I was familiar with the basic story and it always captured my imagination. As an adult, it continues to hold a special place in my heart. So if I’m feeling brave, I’ll tackle Dumas’ first in the series this summer.
The Film Club by David Gilmour: A wonderful nonfiction piece about a father making a bargain with his fifteen-year-old son. Gilmour had no idea how to reach his son, who was failing out of school. The only thing he knows is film, so that becomes the author’s solution. His son can drop out of school if he agrees to watch and discuss three films a week with his father. Gilmour’s memoirs cover the three-year span of their agreement. I picked it up at a bookstore and haven’t had the time to dedicate to it since.
Y: The Last Man, Vol.1 by Brian K Vaughan: Recently, I got back into comic books, and the clerk at my local store suggested I check out this series. It chronicles the adventures of Yorrick, who is apparently the last man on Earth after a disease wiped out all those with Y chromosomes. If it’s good, then I’ll have an awesome new series to get into.
World War Z by Max Brooks: Several of my guy-friends have been after me to read this one for a good long while. Plus the film comes out soon. Most of what I’ve heard about the film is that it is nothing like book. With that in mind, I’m not sure if I want to read the book before or after I see the movie. Either way, the idea of the zombie apocalypse will probably terrify me.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: This is another one of those books I just feel compelled to read. I loved the movie, and now feel like I ought to read the book. I tried reading it many years ago–high school, maybe–and it didn’t grab me at the time. But my taste as a reader has grown since then, so I thought I’d give it another try.
Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters: Every character in this story is dead. And, no, it’s not related to zombies. This is a poetry collection where those buried in Spoon River have the chance to tell their stories. Originally published serially in 1914, this collection still holds its own. I want to get back into reading poetry more frequently, and this will be my start.

There is my TBR list for the summer. I’ll likely diverge from it as the mood strikes, but I hope to get a few of them crossed off. When I created a fall TBR back in September, I ended up reading four of the ten I named. The other six are still books I’d love to turn the pages of however. I’ll get around to it all eventually; at least, that’s every reader’s favorite little lie. We’ll see how many books from this list I can get through this summer.

Good luck on your summer TBRs and enjoy!

Bookish People Are the Best

September 18, 2012September 18, 2012 / caitlinemccann / 1 Comment

Long time no see! But the Broke and the Bookish’s weekly meme is exactly what I need to get back in the groove. Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about what ten “bookish” people you would want to meet. I tried to keep my list to those among the living in the hopes that I will one day be able to cross their names off my list. I get kind of bouncy just thinking about the possibilities.

1. J.K. Rowling: I think I would pass out if I actually met this woman. I’m part of Harry Potter generation and I will force feed these books to my children one day. In my mythical free time I’d also like to read her new book, The Casual Vacancy.

2. George R. R. Martin: If you’ve been following my blog, then you know of my slow-building obsession with this man’s work. I’d love to be able to talk to him or have a tour of his writing space. He has to have some form of organizational system to keep all the complexities of his world in order, and I want to know all about it!

3. Alice Sebold: I read her book, The Lovely Bones, for the first time when I was in the seventh grade. It was one of those books that just stuck with me and is one of my all time favorites. I believe a book has to be something special for me to re-read it multiple times, and The Lovely Bones is one of those books. Since Sebold’s novel came from her own experience, I would just like to hear her speak. This might actually happen (squeal) since she’s speaking at Big Orange Book Festival this weekend, which is held at my school, Chapman University. SO PUMPED.

4. Laurell K. Hamilton: Hamilton is from my home town of St. Louis, and her Anita Blake Vampire Series is set there as well. Above and beyond my pride in her being a local author, I would be beyond excited to meet her.

5. Tamora Pierce: If I could meet Pierce, I’d probably hug the woman. She’s the author of one of my favorite series from my pre-adolescence, The Song of the Lioness. The series features the feisty, strong-willed Alanna, whose determined to become a knight. Alanna was one of those characters I looked up to as a young girl, so meeting Pierce would be amazing.

6. William Goldman: I came very close to actually pulling this off about three years ago. I attended a panel that Goldman was speaking on, moderated by none other than John Cleese. But Goldman’s handlers whisked him away from the crowd rather quickly. But maybe being in the same room counts?

7. John Irving: First of all, Irving was kind of a fox when he was younger…did not know that. More importantly, A Prayer For Owen Meany is one of my comfort books. The complexity and details of the story are engaging, but also the concept that there are no coincidences has been pivotal in my life. I’d like to sit down with Irving over a cup of coffee and exchange life philosophies.

8. Margaret Atwood: This crazy, brilliant woman is such an inspiration. I heard her speak once at a conference, but I’d love to get the chance to have a genuine conversation with her.

9: David Sedaris: I can’t imagine not having a great conversation with Sedaris. Whenever I read his essays, I feel the emotions he projects from the page: anxiety, love, angst. I’ve also never laughed so hard at any book as I have at Me Talk Pretty One Day. I cried and my abs got a workout, that doesn’t happen every day, people!

10: The Blurb Writer: I know this job title has an official and more prestigious name, but they write the blurbs on the back of books. I want that job. I want to read tons of books and summarize them. The end.

The Tip of the TBR Iceberg

September 4, 2012 / caitlinemccann / 5 Comments

Oh, this is quite a challenge. Any book lover’s to-be-read list quickly becomes a towering monolith, as breathtaking as it is intimidating. Much like mounting an Aztec temple, I have a feeling I’d pass out before I neared the top of my TBR list, no matter how exciting the thought is. Yet this week’s The Broke and The Bookish weekly meme is centered around the Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List, so I’ve got to at least contemplate the summit. Some of these books are pulled from the midst of the stack and I’m finally hoping to read them this fall. Other reads were released in the last few years and are recent additions to my TBR. So without further ado…

10 Books I Desperately Hope To Have Time To Read This Fall

*As usual, all links lead to Goodreads*

1. Crimson Kiss by Trisha Baker: I have been hunting used book stores for this piece for years. I found the third installment, Crimson Shadows, in a bookstore about ten years ago. The third book was a compelling blend of horror and romance. Emphasis on the horror. I had nightmares after reading that book, but I wanted more. So I began a subtle quest for the two predecessors. They’re out of print though. I’ve checked the prices on Amazon now and again for used copies, but they’ve always been a little too rich for my blood. This summer I finally caved when I found a modest price. I’m so pumped for this that I don’t even mind if I can’t sleep afterwards.

2. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith: I mentioned this book in a post a few weeks ago. Two of my guy-friends recommended it to me when it was still in hardback. I have a twitchy rule about not buying books in hardback unless absolutely necessary, so I’ve been tracking this book on its way to paperback. Now it is mine, all mine (insert maniacal laugh here). Abraham is currently sitting on my shelf waiting patiently for my attention.

3. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell: Assassination Vacation has been on my TBR list for about a year now. I’ve read excerpts for nonfiction and travel writing courses, each time I’ve been increasingly compelled to pick this book up. Vowell’s sense of humor is what makes me want to dive right in. So now it’s waiting next to Abraham on the shelf. Yes, the choice was deliberate.

4. Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin: Ever since my friend Chelsey recommended Game of Thrones, I’ve been all but obsessed with The Song of Ice and Fire series. Regrettably, I haven’t had time to pick up book two since this summer. But I want back into the Seven Kingdoms so badly!

5. One Day by David Nicholls: I looked this book up after seeing the trailer for the movie with Anne Hathaway. Whenever I see a movie trailer that is based on a book, I have to look up said book to see if I want to read it first. It’s kind of wonky system where if the book looks good, I read it after–because I will get pissed at the movie if it’s wrong in my picky opinion–but if the movie looks iffy then I read the book first since I have no expectations for the film. As much as I love Ms. Hathaway, I wasn’t wowed by the One Day trailer. The premise seemed to yield itself much better to print, much like The Time Traveler’s Wife. We shall see if my system holds true.

6. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: I’ve casually wanted to read this one for a while, but two things peaked my interest within the last year. 1) My friend Erica’s capstone presentation on teaching the novel (she rocked it). And 2) seeing Margaret Atwood’s keynote speech at this year’s AWP (she also rocked it). The universe was telling me to move The Handmaid’s Tale up on my TBR list. Done deal.

7. Don’t Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon: This recommendation came to me through Goodreads.com. The mystery element is what intrigued me the most. I haven’t picked it up at a bookstore as of yet, but this one might be a decent pick from the library.

8. The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan: I literally just picked this book up yesterday at Barnes&Noble. Goodreads also recommended this one to me, but I’m a tad hesitant to start turning the pages. It looks amazing as a book, but I just got out of a relationship and I have a feeling A Lover’s Dictionary will be heart wrenching in a bad way. This one needs to stay put on my shelf for a little while.

9. I’m No Angel: The Blonde in Fiction and Film by Ellen Tremper: As a kid, I got called a dumb blonde a lot, which drove me nuts because I was in the gifted class and was, by all accounts, a teacher’s pet. I later realized these kids were probably repeating something heard from their parents or the media. Keyword, media. I’m No Angel tracks the evolution of the blonde in different forms of media. I’m interested in what Tremper has to say on the subject.

10. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan: Goodreads called When She Woke “a powerful reimagining of The Scarlet Letter“–a phrase that instantly made me want to read this book. I enjoyed reading The Scarlet Letter in high school, but haven’t picked Hawthorne’s book up since. Jordan appears to have taken on the general plot of the classic but added a modern, technological twist.

Bam! That’s the tippy-tippy-top of my TBR list. Give me about a week and that list will be longer and more gloriously insurmountable. I’m hoping to actually stick to this list, fully acknowledging minor deviations will happen.

Confessions of a Book Addict

August 28, 2012August 28, 2012 / caitlinemccann / 7 Comments

Everyone has their little quirks, particularly when it comes to something they’re passionate about. And I certainly have a love affair with books. I’d also be willing to call myself quite quirky. This week’s Broke and the Bookish meme is all about the fessing up to your book related idiosyncrasies. So it’s confession time at the bubblewrappedblog.

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

1. I obsessively organize my bookshelves by theme. Even now in my little guest house I have two small bookshelves that hold only a fraction of my collection. But there’s a poetry shelf, a fiction shelf (which is then micro organized by theme as well), a practicalities shelf (guides, manuals, journals, etc), and two film shelves divided into school related and writing. My bookshelves in St. Louis are much more complicated, but I’ll spare you the breakdown.

2. If you borrow a book from me I track it, librarian style. I have a little book with entries for whose checked out what and when. No due dates or fines are involved but it eases my mind.

3. I never finished Rabbit Run because the character reminded me too much of an ex. But I talked about it in class like a champ. Cursed the character out something fierce too.

4. When I start a new book I look to see how many pages total are in it and constantly check the number against my progress. Getting to the finish is a huge part of the fun, or at times a raw necessity. Even with books that I like I check how close I am to the finish. Same thing with chapters. I can’t seem to help myself.

5. I read Twilight. I was Team Jacob. Don’t judge me.

6. My third grade teacher, Mr. Willmering told our class in order to become better readers and better students that we should read everything. Literally, everything. He told us to take every opportunity to read, including billboards as our parents drove us around. I still do this everyday whether I’m walking about or cruising in a car, I read everything possible.

7. When I was younger, about ten or so, I would stick money in my books as a bookmark. I’ve long since stopped hiding cash between the pages of my books, but it was great fun to open an old favorite and find twenty bucks. I still flip through my books before I donate them or loan them out, just in case.

8. My guilty pleasure in the reading world is romance novels. Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter…the list goes on.

9. When I read books, particularly poetry, I have an involved system of arrows, hearts, and stars for lines or passages that I like. My books look like they’re littered with half of a box of lucky charms. But it all makes sense to me, so I suppose that’s what matters.

10. I’m a terrible hypocrite. You just read my number nine confession and in addition to the heart/star/arrow system, I write comments in the margins and underline things. And on the rare occasion that I give up a book I’ve written all over I don’t erase a thing. The truth is that I’m lazy about it, but I justify keeping the scribbles because I think maybe I’m helping people by pointing out those passages. Lazy, lazy, lazy. Now when I buy a used book from Amazon or some other such place and it has writing in it, I grumble and groan and mentally curse whoever left behind their useless scratching. Ergo, hypocrite.

Now you know all my dirty little book secrets. I feel strangely at peace with confessing all my quirks. Hopefully, you’ll read at least one of these and go, “I do that too!”

Book Titles Worth A Giggle

August 21, 2012August 21, 2012 / caitlinemccann / 5 Comments

Hello all! I’m back from my move-in hiatus. I’m now blogging from beautiful California. And since it’s Tuesday, lets talk books. For this week’s The Broke and the Bookish meme I’m borrowing from weeks past and choosing the topic of top ten hilarious book titles. I’ve either read all the books listed below or they’re in my must-read-pile.

*All links lead to Goodreads.com*

1.Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don’t Float: The whole premise of the book is literary characters and authors on Facebook. Reading Hamlet’s status updates is totally worth it. But more importantly the title makes me smile.

2. Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: I chuckle a little bit just thinking the word platypus, if the nonsensical little creature is toting philosophy then I’m really going to giggle. For any amateur philosophers, this book is really a good way to think about the basics. Beyond the awesome title, I really did enjoy the book itself.

3. Cinderella Ate My Daughter: This book is currently sitting on my bedside table. The quirky title and the glitter grabbed my attention in the bookstore but I stayed for the content. The book is about what our culture is telling our young girls and how those girlie-girl values are manifesting in kids. There may be a book review about this in my future. Just a thought.

4. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: When I was a pre-teen this odd-ball title is what got me to turn the page. I didn’t go further into the series than this first book but the funny title did its job of getting me to pick up the book.

5. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: I challenge you to read that title and not smile. It’s just too cute. You can practically hear a kid draw out the title with a pout. For me, this is one of those children’s books that is classic, and I have no shame in revisiting it from time to time when my day takes a turn for the terrible.

6. Why We Suck: Dennis Leary’s collection of rants disguised as essays. I had this one recommended to me by one of my best friends and it was worth the read because I laughed at more than just the title. Leave your political correctness at the door and you won’t get offended in the process.

7. Oxymoronica: I just enjoy the word oxymoron. My love of the word comes from one of my favorite comedies, The Renaissance Man. Danny Devito plays an out of work advertiser who takes a job as a remedial English teacher on an army base. He writes “oxymoron” on the board on the second day of class and one of his students cries out, “We a’int no ox-morons.” That line has always stuck with me and made me laugh. Now the book Oxymoronica is worth the read for its own humorous qualities. Witty humor from some of the best.

8. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter: I’m grinning reading this title. The premise is so intriguing. I’m guilty of not having read this one yet but it’s one I’m desperate to read when I get the free time. Everyone I’ve talked to about whose read it is thrilled with the book, so it’s more than a fun title.

9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Not taking in to consideration the actual story, this title is hilarious. Anyone who has felt like a wallflower (ahem, me) just wants to know what these so-called perks are, and you smile a secret smile imagining what those perks might be. Now the novel itself is its own beast and worthy of praise above and beyond the title. Definitely read the book before you see the movie.

10. The Tao of Pooh: This book is darling. Adorable. Soothing. The ideas will soak into you through its soft laughter, and it starts with the title. Taoist principles delivered by the bumbling Pooh Bear. Welcome to happiness.

Well my plan for the evening worked. This list of silly book titles put a smile on my face. Hoping they do the same for you!