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a bit of an updated list this year. instead of just keeping track of books i've read, i've decided to throw in my other media experiences: new movies i've seen (whether they're really new or just new to me), museum exhibits, musical influences. so much of my life seems to rush by, leaving me wondering where it all went. consider this an experiment in documentation (or a neurotic way to impose order on my otherwise chaotic world, take your pick).
Books:
* The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall - recommended to me by a coworker, this novel was banned on publication in 1928 for its scandalous theme: lesbian love. the writing style is dry and straight-forward, more than a little idealistic, but the author's hopes and fears come shining through.
* Fruits Basket, vols. 1-23 by Takaya Natsuki - my brother had these, so i decided to delve back into manga. light-hearted, funny and cute, with an intriguing storyline.
* Moving Targets edited by Mercedes Lackey - i'm not a huge fan of short stories: not enough time to get to know the characters and, by the time you do, the story's over. but i couldn't resist the Valdemar setting.
* Pride by Rachel Vincent. the author is getting stronger and stronger; i'm glad i didn't let the immaturity of the first volume override the potential. can't wait for the next one!
* Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn - i first read this on the plane to Italy and didn't find it fantastic. but again, it's one of those series that gets better. by volume 3, i'm completely hooked. what can i say, i have a weakness for werewolf stories.
* Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
* Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn
New Movies:
* Once (2006) - a wonderful little gem of a movie focused entirely on the music and the effects that music has on the lives of the characters.
* Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - this fantastic movie delves deep into life in the slums of India, love, and loyalty. amazing soundtrack.
* Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - LOL.
* Up the Yangtze (2007) - i thought it was a documentary on the effects of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze and its population. instead, it followed two very different teens who eventually came to work on one of the luxury cruise liners that cater to foreign tourists. occasionally entertaining, but also disjointed and vaguely disappointing.
* MirrorMask (2005) - visually gorgeous (as can be expected with the involvement of the Jim Henson studios) and faithful to the book (Gaiman wrote the screenplay), a whimsical journey into an alternate world. this adds another layer to "Close to You" being the most diversely-used song of all time (i'm possibly traumatized). it would have been nice to see what they could have done with a real budget.
* From Russia With Love (1963) - eventually, i'd like to get through all the Bond films. it's very slow going.
Music:
* Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack
* Once soundtrack and other Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova tracks
* Kate Walsh - Tim's House
Other:
* Reveal or Conceal exhibit at the McCord Museum, Montreal - interesting, thought-provoking, but i would have liked to see more actual photographs. it all felt a little out of context and surreal.
Books:
* The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall - recommended to me by a coworker, this novel was banned on publication in 1928 for its scandalous theme: lesbian love. the writing style is dry and straight-forward, more than a little idealistic, but the author's hopes and fears come shining through.
* Fruits Basket, vols. 1-23 by Takaya Natsuki - my brother had these, so i decided to delve back into manga. light-hearted, funny and cute, with an intriguing storyline.
* Moving Targets edited by Mercedes Lackey - i'm not a huge fan of short stories: not enough time to get to know the characters and, by the time you do, the story's over. but i couldn't resist the Valdemar setting.
* Pride by Rachel Vincent. the author is getting stronger and stronger; i'm glad i didn't let the immaturity of the first volume override the potential. can't wait for the next one!
* Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn - i first read this on the plane to Italy and didn't find it fantastic. but again, it's one of those series that gets better. by volume 3, i'm completely hooked. what can i say, i have a weakness for werewolf stories.
* Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
* Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn
New Movies:
* Once (2006) - a wonderful little gem of a movie focused entirely on the music and the effects that music has on the lives of the characters.
* Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - this fantastic movie delves deep into life in the slums of India, love, and loyalty. amazing soundtrack.
* Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - LOL.
* Up the Yangtze (2007) - i thought it was a documentary on the effects of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze and its population. instead, it followed two very different teens who eventually came to work on one of the luxury cruise liners that cater to foreign tourists. occasionally entertaining, but also disjointed and vaguely disappointing.
* MirrorMask (2005) - visually gorgeous (as can be expected with the involvement of the Jim Henson studios) and faithful to the book (Gaiman wrote the screenplay), a whimsical journey into an alternate world. this adds another layer to "Close to You" being the most diversely-used song of all time (i'm possibly traumatized). it would have been nice to see what they could have done with a real budget.
* From Russia With Love (1963) - eventually, i'd like to get through all the Bond films. it's very slow going.
Music:
* Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack
* Once soundtrack and other Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova tracks
* Kate Walsh - Tim's House
Other:
* Reveal or Conceal exhibit at the McCord Museum, Montreal - interesting, thought-provoking, but i would have liked to see more actual photographs. it all felt a little out of context and surreal.
