Moonrat

This one got me thinking, a lot. Herzog made me want to kill him sometimes, but he was a very real and vivid guy who spoke a lot of truth (in his neuroses). I thought this was toward the more... more

This one got me thinking, a lot. Herzog made me want to kill him sometimes, but he was a very real and vivid guy who spoke a lot of truth (in his neuroses). I thought this was toward the more self-indulgent end of the ever self-indulgent Bellow spectrum, but I enjoyed it.

to every girl who has ever been a bridesmaid, ever: c.f. "You on a Stick"

I read this book, loved it, and then bought it for three wildly different people, who all loved it too. I feel like that says something.

I found this book really difficult to read, but ultimately it changed the way I see the world. I'm so glad I kept going.

She's fantastic in LUST, CAUTION. Hope she makes lots of movies.

Just saw this incredible photo stream:
www.angryasianman.com/2010/02/hmong-veterans-of-cias-secret-war.html
51 photos of secret soldiers. I hope lots of people see them.
Anne Fadiman's book... more

Just saw this incredible photo stream:
www.angryasianman.com/2010/02/hmong-veterans-of-cias-secret-war.html
51 photos of secret soldiers. I hope lots of people see them.
Anne Fadiman's book THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN offers a nice snapshot version of the Secret War in Laos.

A quick read and a good thought piece about how women monetize themselves differently from men, and how societal pressures have forced many of us into weird relationships with our own finances. While... more

A quick read and a good thought piece about how women monetize themselves differently from men, and how societal pressures have forced many of us into weird relationships with our own finances. While I didn't relate to every point (eg the passages about being a dependent in a marriage or raised to think someone else--a man--would always be taking care of me definitely DO NOT apply), others were really fascinating. I especially took note of the chapters about women in the workplace, differences in interviewing and salary negotiation, and corporate glass-ceiling differences.
I'd recommend this to most women--there's definitely something to get out of it even if you consider yourself completely independent and in control of your finances. At the very least, it can help you talk about money to friends who are not as proactive.

terrific Danish thriller about a Red Cross nurse who accidentally finds a 3-year-old boy in a suitcase and has to figure out who he is and who's after him.

Elizabeth Smart, great oft-forgotten mid-20th century poet. This is a gorgeous little novel-in-verse.

Love Cara Black! Her mysteries set in Paris are so fun and French-feeling. The new one is quick and satisfying.

Awesome pirate story.

A very worthy follow-up to INDA and THE FOX. The story is tightly focused on the Marlovan's defense of their land against the encroaching Venn invasion--an impossible defense, since they are... more

A very worthy follow-up to INDA and THE FOX. The story is tightly focused on the Marlovan's defense of their land against the encroaching Venn invasion--an impossible defense, since they are outnumbered at least 10 to 1 and have no magical aid. I can't help but wonder if the book was inspired by the Spartan defense at Thermopylae, since the stakes and execution are similar. But Smith definitely adds her own story and flair.
The book is taut and emotional, the arcs from the previous two books tying up in very satisfying ways. Smith's attention to the details of battle are rigorous and masterful.

so excited for this book to come out!

A novel in verse--a very modern fantasy retelling of the piece of the Hercules myth where he kills the red monster Geryon. A fantastic, beautiful, multi-dimensional read.

Just finished reading today... Very pleasantly surprised. Especially considering she claims to have written the whole book in less than a year! (cf Wikipedia)

Just finished reading this, and it has gone straight onto my list of all-time favorites.
The story of two scholars--a man and a woman--who uncover a secret history of two Victorian poets (a man and a... more

Just finished reading this, and it has gone straight onto my list of all-time favorites.
The story of two scholars--a man and a woman--who uncover a secret history of two Victorian poets (a man and a woman, again). As the two pairs' parallel adventures unfold, the scholarly world is in a tizzy over all the gossip, and suddenly all of British academia is in a free-for-all race for first rights of publication.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to savor as you read--this one isn't to be rushed.

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE is my favorite of his performances, but I just saw LUST, CAUTION. Another awesome movie.

Loved this series! First read it when I was 11, and still remember it vividly.

A great edge-of-your-seat thriller by the author of GHOST OF BELFAST.

Love this one! A great introduction to this fabulous series. If you like historical mysteries, you have to give Brother Cadfael a shot. Ellis Peters's depiction of 1135 post-Crusades civil war... more

Love this one! A great introduction to this fabulous series. If you like historical mysteries, you have to give Brother Cadfael a shot. Ellis Peters's depiction of 1135 post-Crusades civil war England feels thoroughly authentic, and the books are full of medieval curiosities.