Everything is Illuminated

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer is one of the best books I've read... you know since the end of last year. Hope I'm not peeking in pleasurable reads already! Thank God for recommendations, eh?

The second I clapped the covers together all I could think was, "I've gotta see the movie!" It's been on my recommend Netflix list for quite some time. I was convinced that I would have to read the book first, because that's just the way I roll. I'd love to read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close real soon but since the film just popped out into theaters, I figure it'll be a while before I can get my hands on a copy from the library.

I have to admit, I mocked this book before reading it - based on looks alone. The text point is just below my comfortable read size. The scale of the font size may have been an illusion, since I was overwhelmed with text ALL OVER the pages. It's as though someone sat down and thought "how can I get this book under 300 pages?" I know it's petty and not really anything to seriously pick at, but it left a negative first impression on me. Seriously hesitant not to read the book. And then the snow storm came.... I started reading this book by candlelight (which I will not recommend). And then I slowly read through the broken English.... I restarted last week and fell in love with the book. Despite all that: 5/5.

The Singer's Gun

I ripped right through The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel. This is probably a book I would have read in a single sitting if it were not for "bedtime" and an excess of other obligations. Le sign... that's January for yah! I'm not usually one for suspense and mystery, so I am walking away from this novel with little-to-no fingernails. I must say, for a novel with little "action", the story line kept me wondering. Still wondering, in fact... so it receives: 4/5 Stars. I really want to know what would've been in that damn envelope! Amended: The author responded on Twitter. I should've known... but now you want to! ;-)

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

I love Sedaris! I've also been tempted to read Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, for a while now. I've been systematically making my way through his collection. Basically, I don't want to wet my pains from laughing every day, so I've been spreading out the "funny" over my regular reads. I really wished this book were longer; I started and finished so quickly. By FAR one of the funniest essays I've read in a long time has to be "Six to Eight Black Men". 4/5 Stars.

Movie #1: Mona Lisa Smile

So, Mona Lisa Smile: All I can think is "should I get married? or have a career?" I can't think of much to say about this movie except that it was basically The Dead Poet's Society for women. It was enjoyable - a "feel good" movie. I'd probably watch it again if I was really craving. My sister and I had a lot of fun picking on the film as it played. We agreed that Julia Stiles was very fitting for a Fifties Gal and that Kirsten Dunst does "bitchy" really well. Also I really liked the shirt Julia Roberts was wearing towards the end of the film. 3/5 Stars.

Book #1: The Land of Oz

I think we can finally leave the Oz, Toto! I have a lingering illustration project featuring The Wizard of Oz, but I think this story caps off my visit into the Emerald City. This Wizard of Oz sequel is a little more humorous than the original story, (which I found to be a little on the darker side). Jack Pumpkinhead's permanent smile, the stupid Saw Horse and the "High Magnified & Thoroughly Educated" Mr. Woggle-Bug, will be missed! Eh... and maybe Tip, too.

I must admit a small semi-cheat, since I'd started this book about 2 months ago, and made it through... uh 2 chapters before I became fully engrossed in Maguire's Wicked Series! Of course after polishing off Out of Oz, I had to head back to The Land of Oz and check out what kicked off the inspiration for the Maguire collection. I must say I was quite pleased with the outcome of this book. I didn't expect to enjoy/giggle as much from this story, as I did! 4/5 Stars.