I warned you this would happen. My deepest apologies to the following books - as soon I posted, they started popping into my head, one by one, with that mournful puppy-dog face that says "How could you forget me?" See, I told you this would be a hard post.....
Classics
The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton - Turn of the century New York City. Fascinating characters (that May sure kept you guessing, didn't she?) And a darned good movie adaptation.
The Forsythe Saga, John Galsworthy - This one might belong in the Modern Fiction category, and possibly the Series category since it's really three books (but no one reads them one at a time - it's a saga, for crying out loud!) I have seen neither the original mini-series or the remake, but the book is fantastic.
Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell - I think we've all heard of this one. If you haven't read it, do so.
Modern Fiction
Ahab's Wife, Sena Jeter Nasland - This one makes the list on concept alone. Melville mentions that Captain Ahab had a wife just once in Moby Dick, and Naslund wraps an entire story around her. And what a story it is.....Una is way more interesting than her whale-obsessed husband.
The Prince of Tides, Pat Conroy - A great southern novel about some not-so-great-but-tragic-all-the-same southerners. I love the scene where Tom meets Sally at USC for the first time....
And Ladies of the Club, Helen Hooven Santmyer - This is a long one, and it chronicles the lives of several women from high school graduation until old age in turn-of-century Ohio. Life was much simpler then, but strangely similar.
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver - I've mentioned this in a previous post, but not in any great detail. It's the story of a missionary family in the Congo. Beautifully written, and very insightful. Kingsolver tells the story from the perspective of several different family members, each one with a unique voice. There is a scene where their camp is overrun by ants (much like in the Indiana Jones movie) and the mother has to choose between carrying her youngest child, and her child with a disability - the mother can only carry one to safety. The scene is told from the perspective of the child who isn't chosen. Strong stuff.
Children's Books
Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls - My sixth grade teacher read this aloud to us every day after lunch. She cried hysterically at the end. Great story.
Badger's Parting Gifts, Susan Vreeland - Interestingly enough, I never read this as a child. Ben brought it home from school in kindergarten, and I fell in love with it. He kept checking it out because he liked watching me cry at the end. Absolutely the best book on dealing with death that I've ever seen for young children. Quite well done.
So there's nine more. Just under the ten that I predicted. I know I will think of others, but I just have to let them go. This is it. This is the list. No more.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
City Tournament - Game One
Ben's team pulled off a win in their first city tournament game. They won 12-2 and mercy-ruled the other team in just under 90 minutes. One of our guys even hit a grand salami. We play again on Thursday night, potentially against last year's champs.
Fingers crossed everyone, fingers crossed.
Oh, and clearly, I forgot my camera.
Fingers crossed everyone, fingers crossed.
Oh, and clearly, I forgot my camera.
Monday, June 16, 2008
My All-Time Favorite Great Reads
This is a post I have wanted to do since I started blogging. I have found it much harder than I thought it would be. Every time I try to list my top ten books, or the books I would take with me if I got stranded on an island, I get frustrated and have to stop. See, I have read many, many excellent books in my day. And books are a lot like food (another one of my life-loves) - they can be so wonderful, yet so different, it is impossible to choose a favorite. Which is better (to quote the infamous Gene Simmons) - steak, or cheesecake?
So, this is my attempt, futile though it may be, to list my all-time favorite great reads. I have divided them into some semblance of category, although I was kind of loose and fast with that part.
Classics:
Bleak House, Charles Dickens - One of my greatest regrets in life was that I never took Dr. Skinner's British novel course while I was at PC. He did heartily recommend this book in every other class I had with him, but I never got around to reading it. Until late 2000. I finally tackled it, it tackled me back. Great story, great characters, wonderful love story - I just loved it. And I emailed Dr. Skinner one of those "better-late-then-never" notes to tell him that I finally took his advice. He replied almost immediately that he read my email right before going in to his British novel class to lecture on Bleak House - he said he printed my note and read it aloud. So I guess I got to be part of that class after all.
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell - How I got an English degree and never heard of Elizabeth Gaskell is beyond me, but she was not on my radar. I found this while looking for something long and meaningful to read over the course of a month or so. This one fit the bill. I loved it. I knew going in that Gaskell died before she finished it, and I was really stressing near the end that certain story lines wouldn't get resolved. That's when you know you've got a great novel in your hands - when you can't stand the possibility that you won't know what happens.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen - I could have gone with Sense and Sensibility - I loved that one as well. But I have to admit, the BBC P&P mini-series capped this one for me. Simply marvelous.
Les Miserables, Victor Hugo - I only read this because I was so into the musical at the time. But what a book. Far better story lines than made it to the stage, but I don't think you can read it without humming all of the songs at one point or another.
Middlemarch, George Eliot - Back to my Dr. Skinner story. In his email response to me, he challenged me to tackle Middlemarch next. Which I did. With haste. And loved it too. Probably the hardest read of any on this list, but well worth the effort.
Villette, Charlotte Bronte - I can't really explain why this book is on the list. But when I read it, I just got attached to it. I loved the main character - a very likable but extremely solitary figure. She made you want to be alone, like it was cool when she did it. Lots of "sneak-up-on-you" twists as well.
Modern Fiction:
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett - I've blogged on this before. Great story, almost poetic.
The Wheel of Fortune, Susan Howatch - I think your first Howatch book is always your favorite. She has a style of storytelling that involves multiple narrators - the first time you read one of her books, you're blown away by how many perspectives she offers on one thing. And how you agree so much with the narrator you're reading at the time, and then hate him or her so much later.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving - Would you believe me if I told you I had started this book twice before actually getting through it? Laura B. read it after my two failed attempts, and raved about it. I remember sitting in her room in that house she and bunch of other girls lived in slightly off campus, and her telling us about this book like she was describing a religious experience. I was mesmerized. And when she was done, I immediately read the book. The movie was OK, but don't settle for it.
Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry - Great story, great characters, great friendship. This is one you could settle for the movie on, but go ahead and read it. Oddly enough, I've hated everything else I've ever read by McMurtry. I secretly believe he didn't write this book.
Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett - Already posted about this one. The follow-up was amazing as well, just not as amazing.
Dancing at the Rascal Fair, Ivan Doig - Like the McMurtry book, this is the only thing by Ivan Doig that I could get through. But what an amazing story, and love story. There is a scene where one of the characters has to tell her husband that the love of his life (not her, obviously) has died. I wish I could write people like Doig does here.
The Stand, Stephen King - This is the first book Mark ever gave me. I read it during the blizzard of 1993. What a storyteller he is. Movies have ruined him - his books are no where near the grotesque/horror stories the movies seem to turn in to. Phenomenal story.
London, Edward Rutherford - Better than Sarum, but just slightly. Great historical novel. Had a character in it named Oh Be Joyful. I kid you not.
Texas, James Michener - I saw an interview with Michener that was shown just after he died. He was asked "What's the best thing about being James Michener?" And he said he loved getting letters from people who read his books, then went to the places he wrote about. Well, I read Texas, and then went to Texas for a summer. 'Nuff said.
The Reader, Bernard Schlink - So it was an Oprah book. Still a darned good story. Reminds you of the power of literature.
The Kitchen God’s Wife, Amy Tan - I expected to hate this book, but man, I was blown away by it. Learning things we never knew about our parents is powerful stuff.
Series:
A Song of Fire and Ice, George R.R. Martin - I started these fantasy books when I thought it was going to be a trilogy. At last count, he's now planning six plus books. Not your typical fantasy novels, Martin does not follow the rules. Don't get attached to the main characters - he'll kill them off in a heartbeat.
Harry Potter, JK Rowling - What can you say? I wish I had the creativity that she has. I'd settle for half of it.
Mitford, Jan Karon - Karon makes you love your neighbors and the people you go to church with. Her books make me hungry, and happy.
Children’s Books:
A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck - For whatever reason, I have never forgotten this book. There's a scene where the main character is dressing for his father's funeral, and he's looking at himself in the mirror, and his suit doesn't fit right because it's an old hand-me-down, and he says "God, it's hell to be poor." I have never forgotten that.
The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes - Ben's class read this book last year, so I dug out my copy and re-read it. His teacher told me she wanted to read it because there were some girls in the class that needed to hear it. What a marvelous way to teach a lesson.
Betsy-Tacy, Maud Hart Lovelace - What can I say - I love Betsy. My family friend and sixth-grade librarian recommended these books for me one summer when I was helping her in the library (and I have no idea how that series of events came about, but I digress). I have read them and re-read them ever since. Betsy's turn-of-the-century life is blissfully captivating. I have a link to the Betsy-Tacy Society's web page, if you want to do some independent study.
And there it is. I know as soon as I post it, I'll think of ten more that should be here. But maybe that's another post.
So, this is my attempt, futile though it may be, to list my all-time favorite great reads. I have divided them into some semblance of category, although I was kind of loose and fast with that part.
Classics:
Bleak House, Charles Dickens - One of my greatest regrets in life was that I never took Dr. Skinner's British novel course while I was at PC. He did heartily recommend this book in every other class I had with him, but I never got around to reading it. Until late 2000. I finally tackled it, it tackled me back. Great story, great characters, wonderful love story - I just loved it. And I emailed Dr. Skinner one of those "better-late-then-never" notes to tell him that I finally took his advice. He replied almost immediately that he read my email right before going in to his British novel class to lecture on Bleak House - he said he printed my note and read it aloud. So I guess I got to be part of that class after all.
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell - How I got an English degree and never heard of Elizabeth Gaskell is beyond me, but she was not on my radar. I found this while looking for something long and meaningful to read over the course of a month or so. This one fit the bill. I loved it. I knew going in that Gaskell died before she finished it, and I was really stressing near the end that certain story lines wouldn't get resolved. That's when you know you've got a great novel in your hands - when you can't stand the possibility that you won't know what happens.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen - I could have gone with Sense and Sensibility - I loved that one as well. But I have to admit, the BBC P&P mini-series capped this one for me. Simply marvelous.
Les Miserables, Victor Hugo - I only read this because I was so into the musical at the time. But what a book. Far better story lines than made it to the stage, but I don't think you can read it without humming all of the songs at one point or another.
Middlemarch, George Eliot - Back to my Dr. Skinner story. In his email response to me, he challenged me to tackle Middlemarch next. Which I did. With haste. And loved it too. Probably the hardest read of any on this list, but well worth the effort.
Villette, Charlotte Bronte - I can't really explain why this book is on the list. But when I read it, I just got attached to it. I loved the main character - a very likable but extremely solitary figure. She made you want to be alone, like it was cool when she did it. Lots of "sneak-up-on-you" twists as well.
Modern Fiction:
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett - I've blogged on this before. Great story, almost poetic.
The Wheel of Fortune, Susan Howatch - I think your first Howatch book is always your favorite. She has a style of storytelling that involves multiple narrators - the first time you read one of her books, you're blown away by how many perspectives she offers on one thing. And how you agree so much with the narrator you're reading at the time, and then hate him or her so much later.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving - Would you believe me if I told you I had started this book twice before actually getting through it? Laura B. read it after my two failed attempts, and raved about it. I remember sitting in her room in that house she and bunch of other girls lived in slightly off campus, and her telling us about this book like she was describing a religious experience. I was mesmerized. And when she was done, I immediately read the book. The movie was OK, but don't settle for it.
Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry - Great story, great characters, great friendship. This is one you could settle for the movie on, but go ahead and read it. Oddly enough, I've hated everything else I've ever read by McMurtry. I secretly believe he didn't write this book.
Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett - Already posted about this one. The follow-up was amazing as well, just not as amazing.
Dancing at the Rascal Fair, Ivan Doig - Like the McMurtry book, this is the only thing by Ivan Doig that I could get through. But what an amazing story, and love story. There is a scene where one of the characters has to tell her husband that the love of his life (not her, obviously) has died. I wish I could write people like Doig does here.
The Stand, Stephen King - This is the first book Mark ever gave me. I read it during the blizzard of 1993. What a storyteller he is. Movies have ruined him - his books are no where near the grotesque/horror stories the movies seem to turn in to. Phenomenal story.
London, Edward Rutherford - Better than Sarum, but just slightly. Great historical novel. Had a character in it named Oh Be Joyful. I kid you not.
Texas, James Michener - I saw an interview with Michener that was shown just after he died. He was asked "What's the best thing about being James Michener?" And he said he loved getting letters from people who read his books, then went to the places he wrote about. Well, I read Texas, and then went to Texas for a summer. 'Nuff said.
The Reader, Bernard Schlink - So it was an Oprah book. Still a darned good story. Reminds you of the power of literature.
The Kitchen God’s Wife, Amy Tan - I expected to hate this book, but man, I was blown away by it. Learning things we never knew about our parents is powerful stuff.
Series:
A Song of Fire and Ice, George R.R. Martin - I started these fantasy books when I thought it was going to be a trilogy. At last count, he's now planning six plus books. Not your typical fantasy novels, Martin does not follow the rules. Don't get attached to the main characters - he'll kill them off in a heartbeat.
Harry Potter, JK Rowling - What can you say? I wish I had the creativity that she has. I'd settle for half of it.
Mitford, Jan Karon - Karon makes you love your neighbors and the people you go to church with. Her books make me hungry, and happy.
Children’s Books:
A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck - For whatever reason, I have never forgotten this book. There's a scene where the main character is dressing for his father's funeral, and he's looking at himself in the mirror, and his suit doesn't fit right because it's an old hand-me-down, and he says "God, it's hell to be poor." I have never forgotten that.
The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes - Ben's class read this book last year, so I dug out my copy and re-read it. His teacher told me she wanted to read it because there were some girls in the class that needed to hear it. What a marvelous way to teach a lesson.
Betsy-Tacy, Maud Hart Lovelace - What can I say - I love Betsy. My family friend and sixth-grade librarian recommended these books for me one summer when I was helping her in the library (and I have no idea how that series of events came about, but I digress). I have read them and re-read them ever since. Betsy's turn-of-the-century life is blissfully captivating. I have a link to the Betsy-Tacy Society's web page, if you want to do some independent study.
And there it is. I know as soon as I post it, I'll think of ten more that should be here. But maybe that's another post.
Crown of Wonder
For many of you, this post will be meaningless.
But for some of you, you will be amazed at my success, and astounded by my determination. For you see, after more than a year of searching, I found, this very morning, the earth emerald in the deep caverns of Flea Floater mine. This elusive gem completes my collection, and I am now the proud owner of....drumroll.... the Webkinz Crown of Wonder.
But for some of you, you will be amazed at my success, and astounded by my determination. For you see, after more than a year of searching, I found, this very morning, the earth emerald in the deep caverns of Flea Floater mine. This elusive gem completes my collection, and I am now the proud owner of....drumroll.... the Webkinz Crown of Wonder.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Little League Party
Well, the season is over. Ben's team finished 17 and 7, second place in the league. Tournament play starts on Tuesday. Tonight, however, was the end-of-the-season party at our local waterpark. Good times. Good, wet times.
Father's Day Recap
Had a great Father's Day. We made Mark a nice breakfast - blueberry mufins, bacon, and eggs - and gave him his gifts. We got him the new Stephen King book, and a collection of sports writings by David Halberstam. We got him a Brian Regan comedy DVD (which we watched last night and hooted over). We also got him a new tool caddy and some new tools (we retired the screw-driver he impaled the bat on, so we figured it was time for some new ones), and lastly, noise-reducing headphones. Then we took him to see the new Hulk movie (two VERY enthusiastic thumbs up - way better than the last one - it was really, really good.) We had his parents over for dinner, and I took the boys to a little league party while he stayed home and watched the US Open. Good day for dad.
Happy Father's Day!
Mark,
Happy Father's Day to a wonderful husband and father! You are a lot of things, but God had you pegged when he made you a dad. Thanks for making our boys all that they are. We love you more than you know!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rainy Saturday in Tennessee. We've spent the day at home, cleaning and playing Mario Party. And eating chocolate chip cookies. The World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I got this recipe from the Good Eats episode Three Chips for Sister Martha. AB takes the tollhouse cookie recipe from the back of the chip bag and modifies it for a crispy cookie, a chewy cookie, and one other variety that is escaping me right now. But I make the Chewy. I make them a lot. That might have something to do with my largeness. But I digress.
You will need:
2 sticks butter melted and cooled
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
Dry ingredients:
2 1/4 cups bread flour (yes it matters - use bread flour)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine wet ingredients and set aside.
Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
Mix butter and sugars.
Add wet ingredients and mix well.
Add dry ingredients in thirds and mix well.
Add chips.
Drop on a parchment-lined cookie sheet using an ice-cream scoop or smaller disher. You want something in the neighborhood of a golf ball. Limit six per sheet. Bake at 375 for 14 minutes. Cool for five minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
When I generously use the ice cream scoop, I get a dozen really big cookies. You can get almost two dozen out of this recipe if you use a smaller disher.
The mack-daddy is to eat them when they're still warm and make ice cream sammies. Mmm-mmm.
I get requests for these cookies all the time. I have been asked to bring them to staff meetings, and have used them to barter for all manner of favors. They're that good.
I got this recipe from the Good Eats episode Three Chips for Sister Martha. AB takes the tollhouse cookie recipe from the back of the chip bag and modifies it for a crispy cookie, a chewy cookie, and one other variety that is escaping me right now. But I make the Chewy. I make them a lot. That might have something to do with my largeness. But I digress.
You will need:
2 sticks butter melted and cooled
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
Dry ingredients:
2 1/4 cups bread flour (yes it matters - use bread flour)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine wet ingredients and set aside.
Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
Mix butter and sugars.
Add wet ingredients and mix well.
Add dry ingredients in thirds and mix well.
Add chips.
Drop on a parchment-lined cookie sheet using an ice-cream scoop or smaller disher. You want something in the neighborhood of a golf ball. Limit six per sheet. Bake at 375 for 14 minutes. Cool for five minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
When I generously use the ice cream scoop, I get a dozen really big cookies. You can get almost two dozen out of this recipe if you use a smaller disher.
The mack-daddy is to eat them when they're still warm and make ice cream sammies. Mmm-mmm.
I get requests for these cookies all the time. I have been asked to bring them to staff meetings, and have used them to barter for all manner of favors. They're that good.
What I'm Reading Now
Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run, by Alton Brown. I watched all of the original Feasting on Asphalt, and thoroughly enjoyed it (although, I thought Tennessee got cheated). I missed several episodes of The River Run, but very much enjoyed the episodes I did see (the eating of the Koolickle and the misidentification of the stuffed nutra come to mind). The book follows their antics fairly closely to the TV version - I don't think there's a lot of extra stuff here, but there are recipes, which is a nice bonus. I just read the part where AB makes one of the crew guys put on the Andouille sausage suit and dance by the side of the road.
For those of you who haven't watched, Feasting on Asphalt was a Food Network show that chronicled AB's motorcycle ride across country, the goal of which was to experience all manner of road food. The River Run followed the same goal, but this time up the Mississippi River. Coming soon, AB will be feasting on island food, which means, I think, he'll be boating and not biking.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
World Without End Update
Well, I finished World Without End. What a book. Really, really good, although not as good as Pillars. Lots of political intrigue within the church, which makes for very interesting reading. Also, lots of info about the plague in Europe and how devastating that was.
It was good all along, but about halfway through it becomes really, really good.
It definitely was a book to stand on its own - it had some references to characters in Pillars, but you can read it by itself with no problems.
It was good all along, but about halfway through it becomes really, really good.
It definitely was a book to stand on its own - it had some references to characters in Pillars, but you can read it by itself with no problems.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wicked
So I've been listening to the Wicked soundtrack. I had a passing awareness that there was such a musical, and that it was a big hit and all that. When I was planning the NYC trip, a friend from work had just seen it on Broadway and raved about it. I didn't think it would be up the boys' alley, so we passed on it this time. But I bought The Lion King recording on iTunes when we got back, and Wicked was available as well. So I downloaded it to see what all the fuss was about.All the fuss is about some very good music, and from what I can tell, a very good story. It's based on a book by the same name, which tells the story before the story of The Wizard of Oz - how the witches came to be witches and what was going on behind the scenes while Dorothy did her thing.
It's kind of funny to listen to a musical soundtrack without seeing the stage production. You have a good idea what's going on, but not exactly, and when you do see it staged, it's always different then what you imagined. I knew the music from Phantom and Les Miz by heart well before I ever saw them on stage.
And so I'm learning the music from Wicked and filling in the gaps as best I can. I hope to see it on stage one day. It's coming to the Fox Theater in Atlanta in October, in case anyone's interested...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
NYC Vacation - Odds and Ends
When we went through security at the Statue of Liberty, we had to stand in this machine that blew air on us in concentrated bursts. What the heck was that?
When I was ten, my parents took me to New York and I puked in a taxi. Ben is ten - we take him to New York, and he pukes in a taxi. Worm hole? You decide.
We saw one family three different times while we were there.
I highly recommend the Holiday Inn on West 57th - nice rooms, reasonably priced, and in a quiet area.
While we were waiting for our flight today, we saw the actress who plays Pam on The Office.
Three home runs were hit while we were at Yankee stadium. I left my seat twice - once to go to the bathroom and once to get shirts. I missed the first two bombs.
Mark got separated from us on the way back from the game - we were on the same train, just in two different spots. He discovered he was next to a woman who lives in Kingsport and works at the track. Small world.
We got really confused only once while we were there - the train we were on to get to Yankee Stadium stopped at 145th st and didn't go any further. We had no idea what to do - we're on the platform trying to read the subway map and are helped by some very nice Canadians from Canadia. Fortunately, we were all wearing Jeter jerseys and they knew where we were going. I asked if they were here supporting the Jays - not at all - they were Yankee fans, ay.
I had an attack of vertigo at the Statue of Liberty, climbing the stairs in the monument. I'm not sure what I was expecting it to be like, but certainly not how it was. Certainly not that.
For those of you who have experienced The Lion King - you think anyone ever got beaned with one of those birds?
A 16 oz beer costs $8.50 at Yankee stadium. We estimated that the party in front of us spent approximately $87 on beer.
"A Starbucks on Every Corner" is not just a cute phrase.
If you go to MLB.com and look for video of Stairs's homer for the Jays on Thursday, you can clearly see Ben just to the left and several rows up from where the ball lands. He's in a red PC shirt and is slightly behind another guy in red shirt who is standing and raising his hands. I am, of course, not visible as I was in the can at the time.
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