The Hound of the Baskervilles . . .

 

Sherlock Holmes. These days he's really popular. And how can you not enjoy the versions out there 

when you have this:    

  or this:   

But as I my friend told me, if you're going to read anything Sherlock Holmes, you better read The Hound of the Baskervilles. 

What surprised me was how entertained I was by reading it. I had no idea that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (because, yes, you must say his whole name to get that hint of British authority) was so clever with words. This mysterious tale is really well-known and I knew what was going to happen going in, but I didn't realize that I would have such a great literary treat to sink my teeth in to. Told in the perspective of Watson, we get to see reports, journal entries, and firsthand experience. Holmes is eccentric, smart, and just as socially awkward as he is now often seen on screen. 

And really, who doesn't like a good old-fashioned ghost story about a hound?  You gotta read this book!

Blood Red Road

I finished the audiobook of Blood Red Road the other day, and I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyable, offering a story that was intriguing and heartfelt.  Saba and her twin brother, Lugh, live on the shores of Silverlake with their father and younger sister. Then, as it so often happens, something tragic affects the whole family and Saba finds herself on a dangerous journey in search of her brother. Tagging along is her younger sister, Emmy, who is just as stubborn as Saba, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. And, of course, there's a love story buried in there too.

I really liked the character Saba, who was fierce and hostile and vulnerable and gentile all rolled up together. If anything, her character kept me coming back. She was strong and defiant, stubborn and defensive, yet her insights were some of the best lines. And her hope of finding Lugh was the heart of the whole book.

I liked it so much that I wanted to see the text—and I was in for quite the surprise. There are no quotation marks. As an editor, I was appalled. Where are our curly little friends? Not found in this book. And then I was immensely glad that I had listened to it, for it was beautiful to listen to, but it would have bugged the heck out of me if I had to read it.

This book is for teens and has some swearing in it. And there are a few intense scenes of fighting and people dying. But it's well worth the read—or listen!

Ender's Game . . . and running

 Ender's Game . . . people were astonished I hadn't read yet. Well, now I've read it.  And I liked it.

The story shocked me from the beginning because of the violence. I wasn't expecting nor the swearing. But about halfway through the swearing seems to be less frequent and the violence is just how the world has been created. Orson Scott Card is a great writer, although I hated all the comma splices he peppered the dialogue with—my editor instinct wanted to change them to periods or em-dashes.  My other complaint was he rarely tagged his dialogue.

The story, thought—the story! I loved the storyline. Little genius children who change the world . . . and ultimately they do change the world. By the end of the book, I had a desire to read more about Ender, Bean, and the others. There were so many interesting characters and intriguing situations. I really felt sorry for Ender, who had incredible talent and empathy, but had to use those things that were violent. I love it when a story makes me think.

In other news, I've started running again. I'm trying to find a route that is about 5K long, so I can start preparing for the race on June 2. I think I have found one, but I'll have to run faster if I want t get in a good workout before work. I'm also in need of getting a good running shoe, so wish me luck. My feet will appreciate it!

The Big Over Easy

I will be upfront and say that The Big Over Easy wasn't one of my favorite books to read, which isn't to say it isn't written well, because it's witty, has several laugh-out-loud moments, and is quite clever. But . . . it was a little bizarre for me.

With the popularity increase of fairy tales (Once Upon a Time; Mirror, Mirror; and so on), The Big Over Easy fits right in, and I was eager to see how the author entwined the fairy tale characters into one world. It focuses on Jack Spratt, detective of the lowly Nursery Crime Division, and his investigation of Humpty Dumpty's death. Numerous fairy tale characters popped as detectives, suspects, family members, and wealthy entrepreneurs.  As Jack starts to make headway with case, he's confronted by corrupted police officers and bewildering connections. And overall it was a lot of fun. Yet it was just a little strange from time to time. From the mad scientist that put a kitten's head on a fish to the mansion that wasn't all that it seemed to be, this book poked fun at detective story stereotypes and plots. And it made for a bewildering experience.

Yet the book has not left me. I still think about the plot . . . and the ending. That ending was something else, and apparently quite memorable. I finished this book about a month ago and I can still remember a lot of details, which is pretty amazing.  And it makes me think that perhaps I should give another of Jasper Fforde's books a try. You never know, I might like it better.

 There is some mild swearing and a few adult-type situations, so it's not really meant for kids. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

The Crystal Cave

 The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart is a fantastic coming-of-age story about the famous wizard Merlin. As some of you may know, I've been slightly obsessed with the BBC One TV series Merlin. Okay, perhaps "slightly obsessed" is an understatement . . . I really, really like the TV show to the point that I talk about it a lot with my friends and family. In any case, I found out about The Crystal Cave from other fans and, funny enough, Colin Morgan, who plays Merlin. He'd recommended the book in an interview that I read online, and so I figured why not.

To be honest, I tried to imagine Stewart's Merlin to look like the TV show's Merlin—and really, who can blame me? Have you seen Colin Morgan? He is quite attractive, and then you get the added bonus of Arthur, played by James Bradley, who's handsome as well. 

Well, It didn't quite work out as planned, but it was fun trying. Stewart's Merlin is less about actual magic and more about being a seer, a definite twist on the story. The novel is filled with so much imagery that it was easy to imagine yourself in that time and discover the United Kingdom from a different perspective. Written over thirty years ago, this book is a thought-provoking read. At times, it can be humorous but for the most part it's a coming-of-age tale about how a young Merlin grows to fame before he becomes Arthur's adviser. 

I really enjoyed this book. It's a different take on Arthurian legend and really incorporates the geography of old legends. It made me wish that I knew more about Britain than I really do.

Brad Paisley, a Player

Brad Paisley got me into country music. I remember clearly the first time I saw him on TV. It was in the music video "I'm Gonna Miss Her," right after my mission in December 2004. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't watched television in really long time, but this video really made me laugh. I thought it was brilliant.

I had already decided to listen to more country music due to some mission companions' influence, but when I realized that this kind of music could poke fun of itself, I was sold. But I didn't jump right away, though, and it took a few more years for me to develop a real liking to it, but now I love country music as much as I love pop (the music kind). Yes, I just admitted that. 

Then came the song "Waitin' on a Woman" with Andy Griffith. Totally fell in love with Brad Paisley. And this love has been a steady addiction since. Which leads to my book review of Diary of a Player.

If you're looking for a in-depth biography of Paisley's life, this isn't it. But it does tell how Brad turned into a superstar guitar player and multimillion country singer. Paisley pays tribute to those men and women who influenced his life to become a country singer. I found it especially tender that he talks so much about his grandpa. There are plenty of great stories about his life and how he developed his guitar-playing skills. The theme that kept coming up was dedication and hard work to achieve goals. Since I'm a fan, I really enjoyed this book. Lots of insights to Brad's life and motivation for anyone who's going after their dreams. I like Brad Paisley a lot. Keep on singing, Brad! Change the world for the better.

Good-bye 2011, Hello 2012!

Another year has come to an end, which means another year-in-review and goal setting. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves, for this is what I learned this year:

1. Your heart can heal after a terrible emotional blow. It's true that time heals all, but I never believed it until I experienced it. An ex-boyfriend and probably one of the best friends I had (I really, really liked--dare I say loved?) got married to another woman, and it was rough though I tried to put on a happy face. Several months later I'm fine with it. He's happy. I'm happy. Do I have some regrets? Yes, a few, but not enough to make me hate him. Are we still friends? Yes, but not to the extent that we were before. And that's okay. I can let go, I can move on, and I can still be happy. That doesn't mean I want a similar experience to happen though.

2. Work is stressful--it has a ton of deadlines, people got fired, our hours got cut, the editors had more books to edit, and it was awful--but that doesn't mean it has to affect my attitude. And believe me, I wanted to be terribly negative and cry that the world wasn't fair. But that's not fair to me or work. I learned that a positive attitude in stressful times benefits me and my coworkers a lot more than a negative attitude will. Go forward and smile.

3. Some people will make you feel guilty so you will do something for them. But that doesn't mean you have to do it, especially if it's not beneficial for you. People are crazy. Friends are crazy. They'll make you feel guilty. I learned it's okay to say no.

4. Hard work does equal a good pay off. I lost 30 pounds this year! Here's to another 30 in 2012.

5. Good times with friends does not equal lasting friendships. Sometimes it works . . . and sometimes it doesn't.

6. The Lord has a plan for me. Sometimes it's a little blurry on my end, but he has a clear view. I just need to have trust in him and faith to keep going.

7. I can set and meet my goals. Nanowrimo, anyone? Now I just need to finish the story.

8. I really, really like stories. I've read a lot of books this year, and I've picked up more to read. I've watched some really good movies and TV shows. And it's all about the stories . . . and my obsessions. I think it makes me a better editor. I hope.

9. I can live in the same place for a year. I like stability. Yes, I do.

10. And the best lesson I learned, Heavenly Father and the Savior are there for me.

It was kind of a roller coaster ride this year. Lots of good things happened: going to concerts, hanging out with friends, making new friends, hiking, swimming, and good family outings. And not so good things: stress at work, stress with friends, stress with family stuff. But I think this happens to everyone. Overall, it was just okay.

Evaluations of 2011 Goals:
1. Attend the temple twice a month--except for July (1 time), November (0 times), and December (1 time)
2. Read the New Testament--didn't even make through the Gospels. Stopped in March.
3. Run a 5K without dying--ran three 5Ks. Boo-yah!

2012 Goals
1. Write in my journal every day.
2. Run a 5K in 35 minutes.
3. Lose 30 pounds.