February Revisited

BOOKS READ

Shakespeare's Sonnets and Poems - Folger Shakespeare Library
No Fear Shakespeare - Sonnets - Spark Notes
Poetry. I continued my almost daily reading of the sonnets. I am through #50.

Cleopatra: A Life - Stacy Schiff

Non-Fiction. Most of the reviews I read claimed that this book was more like a novel than a work of non-fiction. I'll have to disagree. While I am glad I read it for the perspective it has given me on current affairs, I wish I had not used my Christmas gift card on it. I should have waited for it to arrive at the library or in paperback.

Room - Emma Donoghue

Fiction. I am not usually a partaker of current popular fiction. I shun it. I usually don't like it. Last year's The Help would be a perfect example of a book everyone else (well, almost everyone else) loved but I couldn't stand. I couldn't even make 50 pages. But a fellow blogger, Girl Detective, said she liked it and I trust her opinion. So I downloaded it to my brand new Kindle (actually my husband's, but he hates it so I have adopted it.)

I liked it well enough. It was a perfect read for the Kindle as it is not a book I would necessarily keep in my permanent collection. I read it and then proceeded to archive it. If you read Girl Detective's review referenced above, you will get a good idea how I felt about it. With all the depth and detail the author put into the first half of the novel, I thought she could have paid more attention to the second half. It seemed to fall a little flat at the end.

Restoring Beauty: The Good, The True and The Beautiful in the Writings of C.S. Lewis - Dr.Louis Markos

Non-Fiction

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein

Fiction. My mother-in-law thought I would like this book about a young family told from the perspective of the family dog. It was cute and painless, but it is definitely not a work of enduring genius. I would never have purchased it for myself and I would only recommend it if you need a distraction on a long car ride and you have finished everything else.

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Fiction. Classic. This was one of the twelve classics with a big "C" that I wanted to read this year. I can't believe that I have never read it before. I understand that it is no longer in fashion to teach and read this because of the stereotypes that it perpetuates. However, I think we cannot ignore it's historical value as a powerful tool of the abolitionist movement. Or its equally damning look at both the prejudices and evils of Northerners as well as Southerners.

Our Horses in Egypt - Rosalind Belben

Fiction. I tried. That is about all I can say. I tried to read this book. I tried to like this book. I tried to understand this book. I am still trying. I am half-way through and am still not sure I understand all of the connections and characters.

Like last month's Bread Givers, this was a choice of The Wolves. That is 2 for 2 I didn't really like. Maybe I will skip March?

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkein

Fiction. This was my favorite of the month. My 11 year old son and I read it together. We would read a chapter and discuss it, then read another. I liked this for the connection with him as well as the story. I was especially drawn to the distinction between good and evil, and I am always a sucker for a good "journey" story.

MOVIES VIEWED

Black Beauty - Home

We were sitting around one cold and dark evening. No one wanted to leave the cozy living room. So J chose the movie and we all laughed and cried.

Friday Night Lights - Home

Please don't think that this is some kind of hyped up caricature of Texas football. It is spot on. And let me tell you, this kind of behavior starts with the parents of second grade students. I think they are crazy and I find the behavior shameful and dangerous.

Did You Hear About The Morgans - Home

About A Boy - Home

An Education - Home

My husband took the boys camping so I indulged in a chick flick fest all by myself. It was a wonderful weekend with Hugh Grant et. al. These were all nice movies. Nothing spectacular, but what I needed at the time.

The Great Waldo Pepper - Home
We love all things flying and aviation around here, so most of us loved this movie. I'll watch any movie with Robert Redford in his prime. J did not like it. He suffers from a deathly fear of fire.

Secretariat - Home

This was a good movie, but an incredible story. Of course, I always love the underdog.

The Social Network - Home

Not my choice for an Oscar. I find little value in Facebook and just a little more in the movie. Interesting .. I saw an interview with the actor who plays Mark Zuckerberg ... he is not on Facebook and does not own a TV.

Super Size Me - Home

I will never eat at McDonald's again. And It will be a while before I will be able to eat at any fast food restaurant. I want the boys to see this (with a little creative fast-forwarding).

PROJECTS COMPLETED

Graduated Six Boys from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts
You have no idea how happy I was to see these boys move on after five years. And sad.

That is 13 books and 18 movies so far this year. I'm disappointed there are more movies than books, but I'll chalk that up to miserable (for Texas) cold weather, a new subscription to Netflix and a lack of books that even seem interesting. Up next ... Mrs. Dalloway and maybe something light to go with it.