Great American or Sexy Novel?

I was a bit distressed last week when I saw the list of the Best Work of American Fiction in the Last 25 Years by the New York Times Book Review and realized I haven't read a single one. Worse, I haven't even heard of most of the judges and have only read one of them. I was an English major! Gah!

I've done only slightly better on the 25 Sexiest Novels Ever Written as chosen by Playboy (I don't see where they said who decided. Their staff, I suppose). I own two of these books (#6 & #13) and have read one (#6). I've often thought I should have read Forever by Judy Blume (#23), but I usually feel like I missed the window on that one (After all, doesn't one read that one in high school?). Maybe I'll have to add it to my summer reading list. I think the only author to make both lists was Philip Roth.

I have no intention of filling in my reading with any of the New York Times' list. They really don't interest me. I'm reminded of what Alice Duncan says on her website: "...I realized that, not only do I not want to WRITE the Great American Novel, I don't even want to READ it." However, some of the "Sexiest" books have been on my TBR list for a long time. I really need to get to those. ;o)

P.S. Susie Bright interviewed the author of the piece & there he explains how he chose the books. They also mention some others that didn't make the list, but which have also been on my TBR list.

Celebrate Fairy Day June 24

The DaVinci WHAT?

Diet
Originally uploaded by mdesive.

This was in the checkout aisle at the grocery store today. All I can do is shake my head and laugh. I was much more interested in the book before all the hype came around. I've still never read it and I'm not sure I'll bother seeing the movie in the theatre (though I'll probably break down & watch when it's on DVD). I guess I'm now seeing the other side of my Titanic mania.

Too much time on your hands at work?

Maybe you should try this:

The Beatles do Shakespeare!

This is hilarious! And Paul ends up with Pyramus' line "Now am I dead." Does anybody else see the irony in this? I think this was before the whole Paul-is-dead thing, though. Thanks to Such Shakespeare Stuff for the link.

Yikes!

Still wasting time...but this is just too true: "You know you're in trouble when Lexus is part of your identity."

Skigersta, Isle of Lewis

Skigersta, Isle of Lewis
Originally uploaded by ßlϋeωãvε.

Wasting time at Flickr, again... at least I can say I'm trying to do research -- looking for pictures from the Outer Hebrides for my WIP.

And apparently there are still dragons in Scotland...look closely! :o)

Mostly, this is just a cool shot.

Another cool shot

Originally uploaded by deborah lattimore.

Yes, I spend too much time at Flickr. I think this is just such an unusual shot, though. The fireworks are just a wash of light in "reality" but you can see them just fine in the reflection. I'm sure there's something profound there...just give me time to think on that and I'll get back to you. :)

That's it, then...

That's it, then...
Originally uploaded by mdesive.

I guess I'll just have to stay home in bed. :o)

I saw this in the stacks this morning. Note the title of the white book inthe center - I think it says it all.

Recently Seen

I've managed to watch a few movies lately (these three were in the span of the past month...how pathetic)

Mrs. Henderson Presents - Judi Dench was in it, so of course it was great.

Whisky Galore! - Got this one from Netflix as "research" - my WIP is based in the Outer Hebrides, and this film is based in the Outer Hebrides. But it was rather full of stereotypes about Scottish people. And being in black and white, I didn't really get a good sense of how the islands look. The film had some cute moments, but it might have been more fun if it had been less full of cliches.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - I laughed my a** off! I've got to see if the script is out there and buy it, because I couldn't keep up with all the crazy quotes I wanted to write down. For instance, "Juliet's" line "A nose by any other name would still smell." I didn't get to go when the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival did this a few years ago, so I was excited to find the DVD featuring the original cast.

Let's try this again...

Half-Moon
Originally uploaded by la_febbra.

Have to hit the right button...This is the photo I wanted you to see in the last post. And it only took me how many days to figure this out??? Gah!

Anyway, it's pretty cool, huh? Wish I'd taken it.