A Clash of Kings

Author: George R. R. Martin

Number two in the series. As good as the first, maybe even better since it's really made me look forward to the next season of the show on HBO. There are some new and interesting characters, some good old character developments, and the fantasy element definitely gets a boost in this one.

And I'm already onto the third...

A Game of Thrones

Author: George R. R. Martin

Sure, I had heard of the show on HBO and seen maybe 10 minutes of one episode while Pink was watching. But I didn't add it to my already busting viewing schedule. I'm a pretty loyal viewer so my schedule doesn't leave a lot of room for newbies.

About two weeks ago I read in my Entertainment Weekly magazine about the release of GRRM's latest book, the 5th in the Fire and Ice series, of which A Game of Thrones is the first. I didn't realize the show was based on a book, let alone a series as revered as this one. I've never dabbled in the fantasy genre before but this last book was getting such amazing reviews that I committed myself to reading the series from the beginning.

So began an interesting experience for me - reading the book and staggering the HBO episodes such that I had already read whatever was in that episode. While I was a little disappointed when small things deviated from the book, I'm not sure I would have connected all the dots between characters if I hadn't read the book first. I even ended up filling in a few important details for Pink who just watched the show.

Even though the books are intimidatingly long, I almost feel like some of the plot lines didn't get to develop completely and were cut way too short. Maybe he knew he had a lot more books to write. Overall, though, I really enjoyed both the book and the show - good characters, good plot lines, and lots of imagination.

Someone Knows My Name

Author: Lawrence Hill

Interesting.

Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Sadness.

Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Clever.

Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Candy!!

Unbroken

Author: Laura Hillenbrand

Inspiring.

The Zookeeper's Wife

Author: Diane Ackerman

Disjointed.

The Other Queen

Author: Philippa Gregory

Historical.

Anvil of Stars

Author: Greg Bear

Mediocre.

Shogun

Author: James Clavell

Engrossing.

Book Catch-up

It's been a while since a post, but we've certainly been busy. Aside from reading a bunch, we were lucky enough to have Hudson at the end of June, two days after his brother's birthday.

Since then days have been filled with "milking the baby," as my sister says, watching tv, and reading...a LOT. Since there are a few to post about I'm just going to use one word to describe each out of sheer laziness.

Lift

Author: Kelly Corrigan

Boring. But at least it was short so I didn't waste too much time.

Snow Day!

Jack is having his first real snow day - school and work closed for everyone! I'm not sure we'll ever see this much snow in Atlanta again.

The morning started with sledding down the driveway on a Little Mermaid pool raft (which Pink popped on the initial test run) and was completed with a snowman and Jack's first hot chocolate. Pretty sure this has been a good day for him - and us!

Beef Wellington Christmas 2010

After reading an article in Fine Cooking and after much debate with my mom we were inspired to try it out. Now I had not made Beef Wellington since being at The Culinary Institute of America 10 years ago, and my mom had not since the 80's. After some research on the internet and looking through a few books we came up with our game plan.

We decided not to do the labor intensive process of traditional puff pastry and instead we used Nick Malgieri Instant Puff Pastry, from his book Modern Baker. Now this does not puff as much as the traditional puff, but for Wellington it works great.

Next we knew from previous experience we needed to protect the pastry from getting soggy from the cooking and resting process. To solve this problem we did three things. Pan seared the whole tenderloin and let it cool completely. Then we wrapped the duxelles coated tenderloin in prosciutto and then a crepe with dry savory. The result was super crispy pastry.

All in all I would do this again.

Cutting for Stone

Author: Abraham Verghese

Again, I've let so much time pass before posting my reads so this is the only one I'm actually going to say anything about.

This book was suggested to me by my dad's physician. I then suggested it for book club since I was going to read it anyway. It was a pretty unanimously enjoyed read. I thought this book was an absolutely incredible story - so well-written.

Read it. For real. Read it.

The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers

Author: Thomas Mullen

I'm afraid this review may be a little biased. For book club several months ago we read Tom's first book, The Last Town on Earth. Then, the very week after our little group discussed it, we had a new member join - Tom's wife.

I'll admit that I've been pretty star-struck by the nearness of celebrity even though they seem like the most normal down to earth people. Ok, she does - I haven't met him. But I felt that I urgently needed to read his second book because what excuse could I have for not?

I was fairly distracted in the beginning of the book thinking about how I almost knew him and was trying to compare it to his first book, even though they are miles apart as far as story. But eventually the hysteria in my brain calmed down enough for me to actually enjoy the book.

Afterwards I was still trying to resolve which one I liked better, perhaps thinking at some point if I ever met him maybe he would ask. I don't know - it doesn't seem likely (the asking, not the meeting, well maybe both) that he would be that self-centered as to want to talk about his books or assume anyone else did. Either way I'm sure the diplomatic reply of liking them both the same would seem like I didn't read either so the jury's still out.

Truthfully, though, the book was good. The ending left a little room for interpretation which I enjoyed. It's nice to still be thinking of a book for a few days or a week after you've closed the cover.

Re-Elect

On our way back from South Bend, IN last month, we stop for a break at a gas station in Bowling Green, KY and saw this. Oh it was paid by Steve Snodgrass. WOW!!!

Freedom

Author: Jonathan Franzen

In 2001 I read The Corrections, which introduced Franzen to most literate people. It was one of those books that I remember really loving but right now couldn't tell you a thing about it.

After nine years he's finally published another novel, Freedom. He came to Decatur as the keynote speaking for the Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day weekend. My fabulous friend, Marilyn, hooked me up with a ticket to see him speak and he read from his book to us.

This was a new experience for me - I don't recall ever going to hear an author read his work before. In a way it was nice, later on when I read the book, to know how intended certain characters to speak, their inflection, and cadence.

After the reading I stood in this incredibly enormous line to get him to sign my copy of Freedom, which thankfully I didn't purchase for my iPad the day before as I had been contemplating. The line took so long because everyone wanted to have their moment of conversation with him. I almost gave up twice. But I was determined not to say a word to him when I finally reached the table so as not to earn the scorn of the hundred or so people behind me still waiting. I know I'm not important to him so I don't need him to pretend for me.

A clever little trick they do is write your name on a sticky note and put it on the page he's going to sign so he doesn't spell your name wrong. I thought this was brilliant because no one spells my name right after I say it. Finally at the table, he opened my book, looked at my sticky note, and said, "To Gina?" To which I of course responded with the correct pronunciation of my name. Normally people at this point apologize and get on with their business. But Mr. Franzen just stared at me for a beat, like I was the one who was wrong.

Eventually he came out of his trance and apologized, to which I said that it was okay, nobody ever got it right. Then he signed my book and I was on my way. So, I guess I had a few more words with him than I was intending.

Partway into his book I realized the reason for his perplexed and staring pause creating our awkward moment: Jenna is in Freedom. I wonder if he thinks now he should have spelled it my way.

Long anecdote for the shortest of reviews: READ IT. You won't be sorry.

the crack that is television

As the end of the television season comes to a close before summer I look forward to it more than Christmas. I can practically taste the moment when I will be set free from its chains so that I can be some semblance of the literate person that I actually am. The stack of books waits as impatiently as I do. The day the DVR is clear is the pinnacle of relief.

All summer I cram as many books into my brain as possible, to the point of anxiety because I know I will read a third of my ambitions. But for those three months or so I feel like the nerd I am and love.

And now. The encroaching tv season is slithering its way back into my life, cleverly presenting me with only three premiers this week - just enough to solidify the illusion that I don't have a problem. I hate that I love television so much.

And so it gloriously (and simultaneously shamefully) begins - the weeks of endless DVRing, "catching up", and fast-forwarding through commercials. The not-so-tiny hard drive will bring me much happiness but with it comes oppression as well, until next summer when I'll be free for a little while again and can prove to myself that all of my intelligence hasn't evaporated.