Wed Reading Meme

1. What I just finished reading?

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - full review can be found HERE.

Overall, I thought it was an interesting book. I can't say that I enjoyed it all that much, mainly because it's more plot/theme/narrative style driven than character driven. The characters are underdeveloped in order to serve the narrative device and plot. That said, it definitely plays with your head.

Astonishing X-men by Joss Whedon and John Cassiday - was quite enjoyable. Except for one thing, John Cassiday for reasons I don't quite understand, draws Scott Summers/Cyclops as if he's a blend of Xander Harris and Joss Whedon. Uhm no. The guy is 6'2 and has been fighting insane superbattles his entire life. Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, and Chris Bachaalo are much better at it. Not a huge Cassiday fan.

That said, I loved it this go around. Goes to show you, if you aren't shipping against the story thread, it works quite well. Last time, I was shipping against the story-thread.

This series provides not one but four excellent character arcs. The only one who gets short shift is Wolverine, who I don't think Whedon was all that interested in and struggled with. (Which is okay, because frankly, Wolverine has been over-done.) Cyclops arc is by far the best - he goes from being an insecure, self-conscious and not in control to being a tough badass leader, who is in complete control, secure in how he feels about things, and has no problems telling people. Gains the respect of everyone on his team by the end of the series, and cements his role as the X-men's undisputed leader.

I've decided to skip over the Warren Ellis et al runs on Astonishing and Uncanny and X-men, too much money.

2.) What I'm reading now?

For Friend's Book Club: Boys in the Boat s »
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

[As an aside, not sure how long I'll last in friend's book club, it's basically my friend and a bunch of ladies who go to the same church. They are a wee bit more religious than I'd like. I'm Unitarian for a reason, we're not overly religious.]

For pleasure: The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas which was reviewed by shipperx ages ago and recommended to me by my mother, who adored it. It's enjoyable so far. I'm liking the battle of the sexes component without any implied or otherwise sexual violence. It's sort of Georgette Heyer with sex, except better dialogue.

The House of M by Brian Michael Bendis and Oliver Coipel - sort of the big turning point in the X-men/Cyclops arc. In this story, Scarlett Witch's reality bending powers go out of control and she ends up ending the mutant gene. (ie. No more mutants born, and various mutants lose their abilities completely. Those remaining are a disenfranchised minority, even more so than before.)

Still not real sure that the whole metaphor about being a disenfranchised and hated minority works when you have insanely dangerous superpowers and can kill people. But whatever.

3) What I'm reading next?

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell for book club. And I think a Meredith Duran or another Sherry Thomas book. Also considering reading Into Think Air -- which the current movie, Everest is based on.

X-Men - Degensis and X-men: Divided We Stand.

Too many books, not enough time. I read largely for pleasure and based on what grabs me.

Off-Beat Humor or things that made me laugh

1. Watching the sitcom Life in Pieces which reminds me a bit of the netflix dramedy Transparent, actually. It did have a really good line, which is more than I could say for the highly touted The Grinder.

(After Dad has finished telling his son about how he lost his virginity.)
Kid to Dad: "You lost your virginity to a couch?"
Dad: Yes, I still have the staple mark on my penis.
Kid: I can't believe you're a doctor.

So, I decided to rewind and actually watch it. Instead of half-watch. There's potential there. May need to add that to the recording list. The critics lied, they said it wasn't any good. It's funnier than Scream Queens (which the critics adored and I deleted at the halfway mark) and The Grinder which the tv critics loved and I deleted within 15 minutes. [Note to self: television critics are highly unreliable.]

The Grinder on the other hand just pushed my buttons. Found it offensive and irritating. I deleted it at the 15 minute mark. (Shame, considering it looked promising. It was about an inept lawyer and his wildly successful and attractive older brother, who played a lawyer on television. They end up working together, as lawyers. Stars Fred Savage and Rob Low. I didn't make it 15 minutes, and yes that includes commercials. Apparently I can't watch any legal related series except The Good Wife, without wanting to strangle the writers.)

2. The Muppets is so far the best new television series. It's hilarious.

Ms. Piggy is interviewing an author on her late night talk show.

Ms. Piggy: So, how do you make up all these stories? Where do your ideas come from?
Author: From history. I write history books, non fiction.
Ms. Piggy: You don't make things up?
Author: No, they are factual. I'm a historian. I don't make up anything.
Ms. Piggy (under her breath): Lazy, if you ask me. (in a louder voice). So how do you feel about most people checking you books out from libraries and not actually buying them?
Author looks confused.
Ms Piggy: If you ask me, libraries are stealing billions from authors. We should do away with them.

Now that -- is good satire.

3. Phone chat with Mother tonight.

Mother: So, I just finished arguing theology with your Uncle. (This is the Uncle who is a Catholic Priest, my Dad's younger brother, they are about five years apart).
Me: You argued theology with a priest? You can't argue theology with a priest, it's not winnable.
Mother: Well, I'm sorry but I just don't buy the idea that we all originated from one source or Adam and Eve.
Me: You mean the literal interpretation of the Adam and Eve story? As opposed to the more metaphorical and most likely version?
Mother: Exactly. I can't buy that we all originated from one source. It's just not plausible. (My mother the rationalist Catholic.)
Me: Well, technically we sort of did, except it was probably an atom or a cell. You need to go a bit further back. You know the cell split, then split again, and etc.